Qatar's stock index slipped 0.4%, marking three straight days of losses with selling concentrated in financials and energy shares. Qatar National Bank, the region's largest lender, dropped 3% - its steepest single-day decline in over three months - while Nakilat shed 1.6%. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index advanced 0.3%, rebounding after two sessions of losses, boosted by a 3.4% jump in Eastern Company. Credit Agricole rose 0.8% after announcing that its subsidiary, Egyptian Housing Finance, has acquired consumer finance firm Just Finance. Investors are now turning their focus to the upcoming third-quarter earnings season, kicking off with Qatar National Bank's report on October 7.