By Ateeq Shariff

Jan 6 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended

higher on Monday as investors looked to minutes of the U.S.

Federal Reserve's most recent meeting and payrolls data due

later in the week for clues on the central bank's interest rate

path.

Analysts expect U.S. December payrolls to have risen by

150,000, with unemployment holding at 4.2%. The data will be

released on Friday.

Minutes of the Fed's December meeting due on Wednesday will

show whether its "dot plot" rate targets have shifted, while at

least seven top policymakers speak this week including

influential Fed Governor Christopher Waller.

Fed decisions have a significant impact on the Gulf region's

monetary policy as most of its currencies are pegged to the U.S.

dollar.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index rose 0.3%, with the

country's biggest lender Saudi National Bank climbing

1.1% and Al Rajhi Bank closing 0.3% higher.

Oil prices - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets -

steadied at their highest since mid-October as colder weather

spurred buying while further support came from expectations of

tighter sanctions on Iranian and Russian oil exports.

Separately, Saudi Arabia is tapping global debt markets with

a planned three-part bond sale on Monday, fixed income news

service IFR reported, with proceeds expected to help cover its

budget deficit and pay down debt.

Dubai's main share index advanced 1.3%, ending at

its highest in over 10 years, buoyed by a 4.9% surge in top

lender Emirates NBD.

In Abu Dhabi, the index finished 1.1% higher.

The United Arab Emirates' non-oil private sector expanded at

its fastest pace in nine months in December, driven by strong

demand and increased business activity, a survey showed on

Monday.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index dropped

0.8%, ending a three-day winning streak, hit by a 4.1% slide in

tobacco monopoly Eastern Company ( EML ).

SAUDI ARABIA rose 0.3% to 12,105

Abu Dhabi up 1.1% to 9,428

Dubai leapt 1.3% to 5,191

QATAR added 0.1% to 10,486

EGYPT fell 0.8% to 29,930

BAHRAIN eased 0.1% to 1,979

OMAN up 0.2% at 4,580

KUWAIT added 0.1% to 7,897