Commodities Update — Gold slowly climbs up; grains fall on recession fear; copper slides

Commodities Update — Gold slowly climbs up; grains fall on recession fear; copper slides
The most-active corn contract on the Chicago Board of Trade lost 0.8 percent to $5.73-3/4 a bushel as of 0252 GMT. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 06 July 2022

Commodities Update — Gold slowly climbs up; grains fall on recession fear; copper slides

Commodities Update — Gold slowly climbs up; grains fall on recession fear; copper slides

RIYADH: Gold found temporary respite on Wednesday after touching a near seven-month low in the previous session, as the dollar paused for breath after a blistering surge to 20-year highs.

Spot gold rose 0.3 percent to $1,770.27 per ounce by 0330 GMT. 

US gold futures also firmed 0.3 percent to $1,769.10.

Silver drops

Spot silver dipped 0.1 percent to $19.27 per ounce, while platinum was down 0.7 percent at $859.52. 

Palladium slipped 0.2 percent to $1,929.35.

Grains fall

Chicago corn futures lost more ground on Wednesday, with prices trading near a multi-month low reached in the previous session on worries around a global recession.

Wheat eased, while soybeans ticked higher.

The most-active corn contract on the Chicago Board of Trade lost 0.8 percent to $5.73-3/4 a bushel as of 0252 GMT, while wheat gave up 0.6 percent to $8.02-1/2 a bushel.

Soybeans added 0.3 percent to 13.19-1/4 a bushel.

Copper dips

Copper prices fell on Wednesday to their lowest since November 2020, weighed down by a robust US dollar and threats to demand from heightened fears of a global recession and renewed lockdowns in top consumer China.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 2.5 percent at $7,483 a ton, as of 0440 GMT, its lowest since November 27, 2020.

The most-traded August copper contract in Shanghai dropped 5.5 percent to $8,582.76 a ton by the midday break.

(With inputs from Reuters)


stc expands 5G network by 130% in the Grand Holy Mosque in preparation of Umrah season 

stc expands 5G network by 130% in the Grand Holy Mosque in preparation of Umrah season 
Updated 17 sec ago

stc expands 5G network by 130% in the Grand Holy Mosque in preparation of Umrah season 

stc expands 5G network by 130% in the Grand Holy Mosque in preparation of Umrah season 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s leading telecoms provider stc Group is boosting its 5G network scope in the Grand Holy Mosque by 130 percent compared to last year to ensure better performance during the Umrah season. 

The company also increased its network capabilities by 13 percent in Makkah and 18 percent in Madinah compared to last year, while expanding 5G coverage by 25 percent and 13 percent in the respective locations. 

The group has prepared an emergency plan with authorities to achieve a rapid response to any crisis in addition to deploying network stability, technical support, and maintenance teams ready around the clock. 

The digital infrastructure of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque was established to receive millions during the holy month of Ramadan. 

The Group aims to prepare all sites for Umrah performers, worshipers, and visitors to the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in a way that guarantees a distinguished digital experience and raises the level of quality of services provided to them. 

These early preparations aim to ensure the readiness of the Group's services and digital solutions to provide a unique experience for visitors. 

Saudi Arabia receives millions of visitors during its Hajj and Ramadan seasons with Umrah visitors reaching seven million in 2022, according to the Ministry of Hajj. 

In 2022, the ministry, for the first time, allowed people who had a tourist visa to the Kingdom to perform Umrah during their stay. 

Last year’s Umrah performers increased by half a million compared to the year before. The Kingdom also expects to reach nine million Umrah visitors this year. 

At the beginning of March, stc signed an agreement with Ericsson to explore deployment options and future network architectures for delivering 5G services. 

The agreement aims to support stc’s goal to evolve towards cloud-native technologies and open network designs as well as increase the company’s flexibility in its 5G infrastructure.  


Aramco expands its presence in China with 10% stake in Rongsheng Petrochemical Co.

Aramco expands its presence in China with 10% stake in Rongsheng Petrochemical Co.
Updated 9 min 36 sec ago

Aramco expands its presence in China with 10% stake in Rongsheng Petrochemical Co.

Aramco expands its presence in China with 10% stake in Rongsheng Petrochemical Co.

RIYADH: Global energy giant Saudi Arabian Oil Co. has further expanded its presence in China by acquiring a 10 percent stake in Shenzhen-listed Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. for $3.6 billion.

According to a press release, Aramco will supply 480,000 barrels per day of Arabian crude oil to Rongsheng affiliate Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Co. under a long-term sales agreement.

It further noted that Aramco Overseas Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Aramco, will acquire the interest in Rongsheng.

“This announcement demonstrates Aramco’s long-term commitment to China and belief in the fundamentals of the Chinese petrochemicals sector,” said Aramco Executive Vice President of Downstream Mohammed Y. Al-Qahtani.

He added: “It is an important acquisition for Aramco in a key market, supporting our growth ambitions and advancing our liquids to chemicals strategy. It also promises to secure a reliable supply of essential crude to one of China’s most important refiners.”

Rongsheng owns a 51 percent equity interest in ZPC, which in turn owns and operates the largest integrated refining and chemicals complex in China with a capacity to process 800,000 bpd of crude oil and produce 4.2 million metric tons of ethylene per year.

“This strategic cooperation will take our long-term friendship and mutual trust to a new level and paves the way for a bright future for the high-quality development of the world’s petrochemicals industry,” said Rongsheng Chairman Li Shuirong.

Shuirong added that Aramco’s involvement will help Rongsheng implement its petrochemical growth strategy.

On March 26, Aramco inked a deal with China’s Norinco Group and Panjin Xincheng Industrial Group to form a joint venture named Huajin Aramco Petrochemical Company, aimed at constructing a refinery and petrochemical complex in the Asian giant’s Liaoning province.

Aramco holds a 30 percent stake in HAPCO, and the Saudi firm will supply up to 210,000 bpd of crude oil feedstock to the complex.

Combined, the partnership with Rongsheng and the HAPCO joint venture would see Aramco supply a total of 690,000 bpd of crude to high chemical conversion assets, the press release added.

During the China Development Forum in Beijing on Sunday, Aramco CEO Amin Nasser affirmed its support for China’s long-term energy security and development.

“We want to be an all-inclusive source of energy and chemicals for China’s long-term energy security and China’s high-quality development — to the horizon, and even beyond,” said Nasser.

He added: “That’s why we are doubling down on China’s energy supply, including new lower carbon products, chemicals, and advanced materials, all supported by emissions reduction technologies.”


Saudi banks’ income surges 28% to $17bn in 2022: Alvarez & Marsal analysis  

Saudi banks’ income surges 28% to $17bn in 2022: Alvarez & Marsal analysis  
Updated 19 sec ago

Saudi banks’ income surges 28% to $17bn in 2022: Alvarez & Marsal analysis  

Saudi banks’ income surges 28% to $17bn in 2022: Alvarez & Marsal analysis  

RIYADH: Amid fears of a global banking crisis, Saudi lenders are expected to maintain profitability in 2023 with continued credit growth as the Kingdom’s top banks reported an aggregate net profit of 28.4 percent in 2022, revealed an analysis done by the global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal. 

The report shows that the aggregate net income of the 10 biggest listed banks increased to SR62.7 billion ($16.72 billion) in 2022 compared to SR48.83 billion in 2021 on the back of higher credit demand, better asset yield, and operating efficiencies amidst rising benchmark interest rates. 

The report’s outcome is based on the comparative analysis of the financial results of 10 banks in 2022 against 2021, involving Saudi National Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, Riyad Bank, Saudi British Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, Arab National Bank, Alinma Bank, Bank Albilad, Saudi Investment Bank and Bank Aljazira. 

“We consider the Saudi banks’ capital position to be strong. Profitability improved due to an increase in operating income which was further supported by lower impairments,” stated Asad Ahmed, managing director of Middle East financial services at A&M.   

In its report Saudi Arabia Banking Pulse for the fiscal year 2022, the firm showed that the credit growth of Saudi banks reached 14.4 percent year-on-year in 2022, whereas deposits only witnessed an 8.3 percent growth during the same period. 

Its analysis showed that the banks’ loan growth outpacing deposits came from the rising demand in personal loans and real estate activities, and is expected to edge up further in 2023.   

The report further noted that the Saudi Central Bank, known as SAMA, will continue to extend tenors for its support packages in 2023 in an effort to prevent a credit crunch.   

As interest rates continue to mount, A&M expects current and savings accounts will migrate toward term deposits.   

“Net interest income expanded as asset yield improvement surpassed changes in the funding cost,” stated the report.   

Saudi banks’ net interest income received from lending activities, rose by 15 basis points in 2022, yet remained below pre-COVID levels.   

“SAMA has increased its interest rates along with the US Federal Reserve (+425 basis points) in the financial year 2022 and we expect SAMA to continue matching monetary tightening by the Reserve, which will help boost the overall banking sector’s NIMs and in turn its profitability,” said Ahmed.   

He added, “Corporate lending is likely to increasingly drive credit growth in the near term as Saudi Vision 2030 projects are implemented.”  

The A&M report used independently sourced published market data and 16 different metrics to assess the banks’ key performance areas, including size, liquidity, income, operating efficiency, risk, profitability, and capital. 


Saudi date exports exceed $340m: Ministry of Agriculture

Saudi date exports exceed $340m: Ministry of Agriculture
Updated 30 min 50 sec ago

Saudi date exports exceed $340m: Ministry of Agriculture

Saudi date exports exceed $340m: Ministry of Agriculture

RIYADH: Date exports from Saudi Arabia grew 5.4 percent in 2022 compared to a year earlier to hit SR1.28 billion ($340 million), the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has revealed. 

The figures showed that the Kingdom exported more than 300 types of dates, ranking the Kingdom first in value among 113 countries according to the International Trade Center.  

The number of importing countries in 2022 reached 116 countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency, with date quantities produced topping an estimated 1.54 million tons. 

The Kingdom is home to more than 33 million palm trees as well as over 123,000 agricultural holdings distributed across 13 regions of the country. 

Both the palm and dates sector contribute to several significant manufacturing industries, such as food and fodder, medical products, cosmetic products, building materials, among others. 

Dates are an essential fruit among Saudi families, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. 

This is mainly attributed to the high nutritional value associated to dates and the fact that they contain major elements that the body needs, especially after fasting for long hours. 

Nutrition experts advise the importance of eating dates at breakfast as it provides the body with energy, activity and vitality. 

This is linked to the fact that dates contain natural sugars such as sucrose, glucose and fructose, in addition to acids, proteins and vitamins such as vitamins A, B, C and E. 

Dates also contain potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, sodium, zinc and magnesium and are known to reduce cholesterol in the blood. 

During Ramadan, the Kingdom’s markets usually witness a booming demand for buying dates, the most prominent types of which are Ajwa, Anbara and Al-Safawi, among others. 


SNB appoints Saeed Mohammed Al-Ghamdi as new chairman

SNB appoints Saeed Mohammed Al-Ghamdi as new chairman
Updated 27 March 2023

SNB appoints Saeed Mohammed Al-Ghamdi as new chairman

SNB appoints Saeed Mohammed Al-Ghamdi as new chairman

RIYADH: Saudi National Bank has appointed Saeed Mohammed Al-Ghamdi as its new chairman following the resignation of Abdul Wahed Al-Khudairy from his post citing personal reasons, it was announced on Monday.

The bank also appointed Talal Ahmed Al Khereiji as the new acting CEO, according to a bourse statement.

SNB said that the new changes will be effective from March 27.

In 2022, the bank recorded a 46.7 percent increase in net profit, hitting SR18.6 billion ($4.96 billion), spurred by higher operating income and a decline in provisions for expected credit losses.

The Kingdom’s biggest bank also saw a 61 percent surge in net profit in the fourth quarter of 2022 to SR4.8 billion from SR2.96 billion during the same period in 2021.

The results beat the average analyst estimate of SR18.2 billion, according to Refinitiv data.

Earlier in March, the bank moved to play down any risk to its balance sheet caused by the fall in share value of Credit Suisse.

SNB bought almost 9.9 percent of Credit Suisse for SR5.5 billion in November 2022, with the Saudi bank later saying the investment represented just 0.5 percent of its total assets and approximately 1.7 percent of its overall investment portfolio.

In a statement to the Saudi stock exchange, made as Credit Suisse hit difficulties, SNB said: “Changes in the valuation of SNB's investment in Credit Suisse have no impact on SNB's growth plans and forward-looking 2023 guidance.”

Shares of Credit Suisse and other banks plunged after the failure of two banks in the US sparked concerns about other potentially shaky institutions in the global financial system.

Fellow Swiss bank group UBS agreed to buy Credit Suisse for more than $3 billion, a move which calmed markets after concerns about the global financial sector increased following the failure of two banks in the US.