MIDEAST STOCKS-UAE markets rise on MSCI upgrade hopes; Gulf mixed

DUBAI, Dec 11 (Reuters) - UAE markets closed higher on

Sunday amid rising investor sentiment on a possible upgrade by

index compiler MSCI and an expected opening up of Saudi Arabia's

market to direct foreign investment.

Dubai's index rose 0.9 percent, trimming 2011

losses to 14.3 percent.

Emaar Properties gained 3.3 percent, Emirates NBD

advanced 1.6 percent and contractor Arabtec

climbed 2.7 percent.