| FHS25: Investors attracted by Vision 2030 wins as international interest rises, hotel signings surge
Investor confidence in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector is being reinforced by tangible progress on Vision 2030 goals, including accelerating international interest and a surge in hotel signings, a major gathering has heard. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,488
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Monday, gaining 142.01 points, or 1.25 percent, to close at 11,488.60. |
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| Most Gulf shares gain on US-China tariff deal; Egypt snaps losing streak
Gulf equities ended higher on Monday as the US and China agreed to temporarily slash harsh reciprocal tariffs while US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia and Gulf states on Tuesday also raised investor sentiment. |
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| Saudi Arabia projects 8% tourism growth in 2025 as sector overhaul gains pace
Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is projected to grow by 8 percent in 2025, building on a year of record-breaking performance and continued progress under Vision 2030, according to a top official. |
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| Saudi-based Wyld VC unveils $50m AI fund
Wyld VC, a new early-stage venture capital firm founded by Saudi investor Tala Hasan Al-Jabri, has announced the launch of its inaugural $50 million fund — marking the first AI-native VC fund to emerge from the MENA region. |
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| Saudi Arabia adds over 1,000 hotel keys as summit opens with major deals
Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector saw a boost on the opening day of the Future Hospitality Summit, with more than 1,000 new hotel keys announced across several high-profile agreements. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,346
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 17.52 points, or 0.15 percent, to close at 11,346.59. |
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| Fed holds rates steady and adopts ‘wait-and-see’ stance on trade war
The US services sector expanded in April with the ISM PMI coming in at 51.6, lifted by new orders and inventories, though employment contracted, and tariff-driven price pressures hit a 27-month high. The Federal Reserve held rates steady at 4.25 percent-4.50 percent, citing trade uncertainty as aggressive tariffs risk stagflationary pressures, while unemployment claims dipped to 228,000. |
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| MoCI forms panel to monitor prices, control inflation
Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel on Sunday issued a decision establishing a central committee to study prices in the domestic market and monitor inflation and supply chains in a bid to control the movement of prices. |
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| KAFD at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s economic and investment future
The King Abdullah Financial District is fast emerging as a centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation, playing a critical role in the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify and establish itself as a global hub for commerce and investment. |
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| Saudi industrial output rises 2% in March on strong manufacturing gains
Saudi Arabia’s industrial production index rose 2 percent year on year in March 2025, driven by strong growth in manufacturing, particularly in the chemical and food industries, official data showed. |
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| Kuwait hosts GCC meeting on boosting economic cooperation
Kuwait on Wednesday hosted the 13th meeting of the senior officials committee of the Economic and Development Affairs Authority, chaired by Aseel Al-Munaifi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance. |
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| Saudi Arabia sees 13% rise in patent filing to reach 8,029 in 2024
Saudi Arabia’s intellectual property landscape continued its robust growth in 2024, with patent filings rising by 13.33 percent year on year to reach a record 8,029, according to the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. |
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| GCC central banks hold interest rates steady for 3rd time following Fed’s move
Gulf Cooperation Council central banks have kept interest rates steady for the third consecutive period, mirroring the US Federal Reserve’s decision to hold its benchmark rate between 4.25 percent and 4.5 percent. |
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| Saudi Arabia sees 73% surge in e-commerce sales using MADA cards
Saudi e-commerce sales via MADA cards surged 73.4 percent year on year in March to a record SR27.55 billion ($7.34 billion), reflecting rapid growth in the Kingdom’s digital payment ecosystem. |
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| Saudi Arabia fast-tracks shift to cashless economy on back of fintech boom
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its journey toward becoming a cashless society, propelled by a booming fintech sector, rising consumer adoption of digital services, and a proactive regulatory framework. |
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| UAE gross banking assets climb to $1.26tn in February
The UAE’s banking sector witnessed continued momentum in February, as key indicators of liquidity and credit expanded steadily. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi benchmark index edges down 0.31% to close at 11,398
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index fell on Wednesday, shedding 35.34 points, or 0.31 percent, to close at 11,398.74. |
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| Tadawul’s market cap up 463% since 2014: S&P Global
The market capitalization of Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index reached $2.7 trillion at the end of 2024, representing a 10-year rise of 463 percent, according to an analysis. |
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| Saudi POS spending hits $4bn, fueled by increased spending across all sectors
Saudi Arabia’s point-of-sale transactions climbed 36.2 percent to SR15.4 billion ($4.1 billion) in the week ending May 3, driven by increased spending across all sectors. |
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| Kuwait economy to grow at 3.3% in 2026 despite global challenges
The outlook for Kuwait economy in 2025-2026 remains broadly positive, with GDP projected to expand by 3.3 percent by 2026, following several years of below-trend growth that reflected both lower oil production due to OPEC+ cuts and the fading of the post-pandemic consumer spending bounce. |
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| ABK announces 8% growth in net profit to KD 15.69 million in Q1 2025
Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) Group announced its financial results for Q1 2025, reflecting continued outstanding performance and growth across financial indicators. |
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| Burgan Bank reports strong earnings for Q1 ’25, posts net income of KD 10.7 million
Burgan Bank (“Burgan” or “the Bank”) announced its financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2025 (Q1 2025). The Bank delivered robust financial results for Q1 2025, reporting revenues of KD 57.9 million—a remarkable 8 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) increase. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s revised 2024 capital investment rises to $355bn, surpassing target by 38%
Saudi Arabia’s gross fixed capital formation reached SR1.33 trillion ($355 billion) in 2024, reflecting a 4.5 percent annual increase, according to updated data released by the Ministry of Investment. |
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| Saudi Arabia leads 106% rise in MENA IPO proceeds across Q1: EY
Proceeds from initial public offerings across the Middle East and North Africa saw a 106 percent annual rise in the first quarter of 2025, fueled by Saudi Arabia, according to an analysis. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,434
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index extended its upward momentum for a second straight day, gaining 11.13 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 11,434.08 on Tuesday. |
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| Saudi Arabia leads MENA startup funding in April with $158.5m
Saudi Arabia led startup funding across the Middle East and North Africa in April 2025, attracting $158.5 million across eight deals — accounting for more than two-thirds of the region’s total investment for the month. |
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| Saudi Arabia leads MENA startup funding in April with $158.5m
Saudi Arabia led startup funding across the Middle East and North Africa in April 2025, attracting $158.5 million across eight deals — accounting for more than two-thirds of the region’s total investment for the month. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector growth continues in April as PMI hits 55.6
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector continued to expand in April, with the Riyad Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index reaching 55.6, indicating sustained growth in business activity, a new survey showed. |
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| Saudi bank lending hits $827bn in March, fastest growth in over 3.5 years
Saudi Arabia’s banking sector continued its robust lending expansion in March, with total credit reaching SR3.1 trillion ($827.2 billion), marking a 16.26 percent year-on-year increase. |
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| Saudi Arabia posts $15.6bn budget deficit in Q1 with resilient non-oil growth
Saudi Arabia recorded a deficit of SR58.7 billion ($15.65 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, driven by declining oil revenues and increased spending to support Vision 2030 development initiatives, according to the Finance Ministry. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,422
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Monday, gaining 11.45 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 11,422.95. |
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| UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar sustain non-oil growth in April: S&P Global
The non-oil private sectors of the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar continued their expansion in April, supported by strong demand, improving output, and stable employment conditions, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys released by S&P Global. |
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| Saudi Arabia opens May round of Sah savings sukuk with 4.66% return
Saudi Arabia launched the May issuance of its Sah savings sukuk, offering retail investors a fixed return of 4.66 percent as the government continues to push savings participation. |
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| Saudi fintech startup Nqoodlet secures $3m in seed funding
Saudi fintech firm Nqoodlet has announced the successful closure of a $3 million seed funding round aimed at accelerating its mission to streamline financial operations for small and medium-sized enterprises. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,411
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 132.17 points, or 1.14 percent, to close at 11,411.50. |
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| Saudi insurance firm Al-Etihad retains Moody’s A3 rating with stable outlook
Saudi-based Al-Etihad Cooperative Insurance Co. has retained its A3 financial strength rating from Moody’s, reflecting the firm’s strong market position and disciplined underwriting. |
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| Oman inflation inches up by 0.56% in March
Oman’s inflation rate inched up by 0.56 percent in March, reflecting overall price stability despite notable movements in select consumer categories, official data showed. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s real GDP grows 2.7% in Q1: GASTAT
Saudi Arabia’s economy saw annual growth of 2.7 percent in the first quarter of 2025, driven by strong momentum in non-oil activities as the Kingdom continues efforts to diversify away from hydrocarbons. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s net FDI up 26%: GASTAT
Net foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia reached SR22.1 billion ($5.89 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024, representing a rise of 26 percent compared to the previous three months, newly released official data showed. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s flynas Middle East’s fastest-growing airline from 2019-2024: report
Saudi low-cost carrier flynas’s capacity increased by 63 percent from 2019 to 2024, making it the fastest-growing airline in the Middle East region, according to an analysis. |
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| Strong non-oil growth to support GCC economies amid OPEC+ cuts: IMF
Short-term gains in non-oil sectors are expected to help Gulf Cooperation Council countries offset the negative impact of prolonged OPEC+ crude production cuts, according to an International Monetary Fund analysis. |
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| Peru keen to boost agricultural, food exports to Saudi Arabia, foreign minister says
Peru is seeking to boost exports of agricultural and food industry products to Saudi Arabia while leveraging the tax incentives and benefits available to foreign investors, a top official said. |
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| PIF announces pricing of $1.25bn international sukuk offering
The Public Investment Fund on Thursday announced the pricing of a $1.25 billion sukuk offering, with the proceeds of the dollar-denominated offering to be used for PIF’s general corporate purposes. |
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| Riyadh Air signs 11 deals to boost global reach and promote Saudi culture and hospitality
New Saudi airline Riyadh Air signed 11 strategic agreements this week it said will expand its global footprint, elevate the travel experience, and help promote the Kingdom’s culture and hospitality. |
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| Saudi banks weathering external debt surge amid Vision 2030 push: S&P report
Saudi Arabia’s banking sector is set to absorb a rise in external debt, driven by increasing financing demands under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda, according to a new report. |
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| GCC share of emerging-market dollar debt jumps to 35% in Q1
Gulf Cooperation Council countries accounted for over 35 percent of all emerging-market US dollar debt issued in the first quarter of the year— excluding China— marking a sharp increase from around 25 percent in 2024, a new report revealed. |
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| Kuwaiti investors encouraged to explore opportunities in Saudi Arabia by industry minister
Saudi Arabia’s minister of industry and mineral resources has urged Kuwaiti investors to seize untapped opportunities in the Kingdom’s mining sector. |
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| Saudi POS spending hits $3bn, fueled by jewelry sales
Jewelry spending in Saudi Arabia hit SR320.7 million ($85.4 million) between April 20 and 26, marking a weekly rise of 18.2 percent, according to the latest official figures. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,671
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Wednesday, losing 74.62 points, or 0.64 percent, to close at 11,671.58. |