Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Strong Saudi Q2 GDP data could be revised down The 1.4% y/y Q2 GDP growth in Saudi Arabia reported by the local statistics authority was significantly stronger than we had expected. But we find this difficult to square with the weaker low-profile... 30th September 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi Arabia: first thoughts on the implications of the OPEC deal Last night’s OPEC deal to cut output is short on details, although our sense is that it’s unlikely to be a game-changer for Saudi Arabia, even if it shoulders most of the burden of the fall in... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia Consumer Prices (Aug.) The sharp fall in Saudi inflation in August was driven by a drop in food inflation, although there were signs that the weakness of the economy is curtailing underlying price pressures. We expect... 26th September 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update A look ahead to Saudi Arabia’s international bond issuance Saudi Arabia’s upcoming international bond sale has sparked a lot of investor interest and we estimate that the Kingdom will manage to sell its 10-year debt for a relatively low yield of 3.50-3.75%... 20th September 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Will economic pain prompt a shift in Saudi oil policy? The slowdown in Saudi Arabia’s economy has prompted the authorities to soften their opposition to a deal to freeze oil output. While a deal is more likely than it was earlier this year, there are... 14th September 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi Arabia: revisiting the hit from lower oil prices Saudi Arabia’s upcoming Eurobond issuance has thrust the country’s finances back under the spotlight. Overall, the hit from lower oil prices has been significant – annual oil export revenues are down... 6th September 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Update What to make of Russia and Saudi Arabia’s statement on oil The statement by Russia and Saudi Arabia earlier today that the two countries have agreed to work together to try to stabilise the oil market did very little to justify the almost 6% surge in oil... 5th September 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Slump in Saudi economy deepens Our GDP Tracker suggests that the slump in Saudi Arabia’s economy has deepened, with output falling by more than 2% y/y in June. A recovery is likely to get underway over the rest of this year and in... 30th August 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia Consumer Prices (Jul.) Saudi inflation edged down in July to its lowest rate this year, at 3.8% y/y, and further ahead the weakness of economic activity means that headline inflation will fall further over the next twelve... 22nd August 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi economy probably contracted in Q2 Our GDP Tracker suggests that Saudi Arabia’s economy is suffering heavily under the weight of fiscal austerity, with output contracting by around 2% y/y as of May. IMF and consensus expectations for... 17th August 2016 · 1 min read
Frontier Markets Wrap Low oil prices hitting home Oil prices have been low for some time now, but the past month has brought further evidence that this new reality is starting to hit home in energy-exporting frontier markets. Recently-released data... 21st July 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Strains in Saudi Arabia’s balance of payments starting to ease Saudi Arabia’s current account position deteriorated at the start of this year due to lower oil prices, but even taking this into account the underlying balance of payments position improved. We... 14th July 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Hard evidence points to weakness in Saudi economy The relative strength of the PMI readings from Saudi Arabia have prompted some to argue that the economy is holding up well. However, our GDP Tracker suggests that the economy is struggling and we... 12th July 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia GDP (Q1) Data released over the weekend, showing that Saudi GDP growth slowed in Q1 (particularly in the non-oil private sector), highlights the impact that fiscal austerity is already having on the economy... 4th July 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Gulf equity markets stumble, despite oil rally Equity markets across the Gulf have struggled over the past month, in spite of a further recovery in oil prices. At the same time, speculation has increased that Saudi Arabia will devalue the riyal... 30th May 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi Arabia: riyal devaluation a last resort In spite of the backdrop of the recent recovery in oil prices, which broke through US$50pb today for the first time this year, speculation has mounted that Saudi Arabia will devalue its currency. We... 26th May 2016 · 1 min read
