TASI continues to fall; Egypt shares plunge

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank lifted the emirate's index after it swung to profit. Most Gulf markets ended lower, while trade was muted in Cairo as most traders remained transfixed to television screens, following trial updates.

Mubarak is the first Arab ruler to appear in court since uprisings swept the region, and analysts say it is still unclear if the trial will lead to reconciliation or drag.

"For those of us in markets, uncertainty is always an excuse to sell, whether it's justifiable or not," said Akram Annous, MENA strategist at Al-Mal Capital in Dubai.

"Markets want a smooth trial and an uncontroversial outcome, but until then they are likely to be on edge as this drama unfolds," he added.

The benchmark index slid 0.9 percent to its lowest level since May 8. The index has fallen 6.5 percent since July 17, mainly on concerns over political uncertainty.

Mobinil dropped 2.1 percent. One of the lawyers at Mubarak's trial called for a legal representative from Egypt's three main telecoms firms to come to court to talk about the communications cut during the uprising that overthrew Mubarak.

Egypt's shares were also under pressure after world stocks fell toward five-month lows on Wednesday as worries grew that fiscal cutbacks and stagnating output would prolong a global economic slowdown and aggravate Europe's debt crisis.

In the UAE, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) helped lift the emirate's index, which rose by 0.2 percent to 2,650 points on its third day of gains.

ADCB climbed 0.3 percent, taking its gains this year to 49 percent. The lender booked a $357 million profit from the sale of a stake in Malaysia's RHB Capital and reported quarterly earnings $364.9 million).