Abu Dhabi's biggest banks were among the gainers at the open as investors await the release of first quarter results due to be announced throughout this week.
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank rose 2.3 per cent to Dh2.69, First Gulf Bank, the third-largest lender in the capital, added 0.3 per cent to Dh18.05 and Union National Bank advanced 1.8 per cent to Dh3.4.
But the country's bourses were largely muted this morning as foreign investors were mainly on the sidelines because of the Easter holiday. Analysts also anticipated a bout of profit taking after a solid run in Saudi Arabia last week.
"We could see some profit taking in Saudi Arabia when the market opens, after a good day of trading on Saturday and of course the UAE is always impacted by Saudi," said Irfan Ellam, an analyst at Al Mal Capital.
The Dubai Financial Market General Index rose marginally at the open to 1,684.16 points and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange General Index slipped 0.2 per cent to 2,705.08 points.
"The key will be the earnings numbers and companies that report this week, with Emaar being one to watch," said Shehzad Janab, the head of asset management and advisory at Daman Investment.
Emaar Properties, the builder of the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa slipped 0.8 per cent to Dh3.46.
In Dubai, du, the UAE's second telecoms operator, and Dubai Islamic Bank, were among the top risers at the open. The shares added nearly 3 per cent to Dh3.31 and 1 per cent to Dh2.29 respectively.
The DFM Company, the Arab world's only publicly listed exchange was raised to "hold" from "sell" at Deutsche Bank with a price estimate of Dh1.7. A shareholder's meeting is also planned today.
Saudi's market ended yesterday at its highest point in a week buoyed by petrochemical stocks which rallied following positive quarterly results.
Kingdom Holding, the Saudi-based investment company, said it has reached an agreement over contested land in Toshka, Egypt, Bloomberg News reported.
Shares in the company ended 2.8 per cent to 8.44 Saudi riyals.
In Kuwait, National Mobile Telecoms Company, the phone company controlled by Qatar Telecom, climbed to its highest point since August 2008 after it reported a jump in first quarter net income to 285 million dinars from 16 million in the year-ago period. Shares were trading 5.2 per cent higher.
Egypt's stock exchange is closed today for the Christian Easter holiday.
