Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy.

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Buoyant stocks pause for breath on signs of softening US consumption MKTS/GLOB

* Oil gains on US–Iran tensions, better India demand O/R

* PRECIOUS-Gold, silver climb as US yields fall on softer retail sales GOL/

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Most Gulf markets gain on earnings .MIDEAST

* Trump hints at second carrier in Middle East as Iran and US near talks nL1N3Z612T

* Israeli strikes kill five in Gaza, health officials say nL8N3Z60S1

* Canada condemns Israeli decision to expand control over the West Bank, foreign ministry says nS0N3YA03Z

EGYPT

* Egypt's core inflation slows to 11.2% yr/yr in January, central bank says nAPN7IJ4PF

* BRIEF-Egypt signs 90 million euro grant agreement with European Investment Bank nS8N3XB04L

* Egypt tells international oil firms to double output by 2030, Energean International CEO says nL1N3Z60J8

* BRIEF-Egypt Aluminum Signs Contract With Italy's Mino To Rehabilitate Cold Rolling Mills Line nFWN3Z51OP

* BRIEF-Egyptian Chemical Industries Currently Studying To Export Its Green Hydrogen Products To Europe nFWN3Z51R6

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* BRIEF-Adnoc L&S Expects Low To Mid‑Single‑Digit YoY Growth In 2026 Group Net Income nFWN3Z61N8

* BRIEF-DEWA raises stake in Empower to 80% with $1.4 billion transaction nS8N3Y706P

* BRIEF-Empower FY Profit 993.3 Mln Dirhams nFWN3Z51DS

* BRIEF-Salik Company FY Profit 1.55 Billion Dirhams nFWN3Z51PZ

* BRIEF-Aldar Properties Launches Baccarat Residences Saadiyat nFWN3Z600L

* BRIEF-Dubai's DEWA Qtrly Profit Rises nFWN3Z51RE

* Dubai's DXB airport forecast to handle nearly 100 million passengers this year nL6N3Z610O

SAUDI ARABIA

* EXCLUSIVE-Saudi, US firms to partner on northeast Syria energy project nL6N3Z60RR

KUWAIT

* Kuwait's 2026-2027 draft budget projects deficit of $32.1 billion, ministry says nL1N3Z6162

TURKEY

* POLL-Turkey to log $5.2 bln current account deficit in December nL8N3Z50NL