As temperatures approach 45 degrees in the Gulf at the start of July, most investors quit trading for a while, sending trading volumes down. At the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), trading volumes plummeted 59 percent Sunday as some 50.54 million shares changed hands. Traded value declined 57 percent to 62.819 million dirhams (17.13 million U.S. dollars). According to investment bank EFG Hermes, foreign investors in Dubai were net buyers, while local investors were net sellers. But the foreigners' risk appetite was not enough to keep the DFM index up. The composite lost 0.1 percent and closed at 1,468.45 points. Bank stocks were the only group which gained as a whole. But real estate firms stand for 70 percent of the Dubai market and they continued to fall. Union Properties, builder of the iconic Index Tower in the Dubai International Financial Center, bucked the trend and added 1.63 percent, finishing at 0.375 dirham (0.1 dollar). In Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, real estate shares posted small profits. The ADX General Index added 5.9 points and closed at 2,515.46 points. Aldar Properties advanced 0.37 percent at 2.73 dirhams (0.74 dollar). Shares of Aabar Investments, an Abu Dhabi- based sovereign wealth fund, gained 3.47 percent, finishing at 1. 47 dirham (0.40 dollar). Aabar Investments, which owns 9.1 percent in carmaker Daimler AG, is borrowing 2 billion dollars to refinance debt and for acquisitions. Aabar also holds a 32 percent stake in Virgin's space tourism arm for 2.7 billion dollars. In Riyadh, shares of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation weakened 1.19 percent at 83 Saudi riyals (22.07 dollars) despite stabilizing oil prices. According to a report by the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, oil prices are expected to edge higher this week, in line with strengthening gasoline demand. Prices could rise back above 75 dollars per barrel, but the trading range could be as wide as it was last week. 'Oil investors increasingly are taking cues from global economic sentiments rather than petroleum market fundamentals,' the report said. U.S. Department of Energy data from June 25 showed a decline in crude oil and distillate inventories, along with an increase in gasoline stocks. In Doha, the stock market composite QE Index ended at 6,776.8 points, down 1.15 percent. Kuwait's KSE Market Index ended down 1. 73 percent at 6,320.6 points. Trading volumes in all Arab markets might not pick up soon as the Holy month of Ramadan will begin in about a month's time in August. 