UAE gross banking assets climb to $1.26tn in February
UAE gross banking assets climb to $1.26tn in February/node/2599978/business-economy
UAE gross banking assets climb to $1.26tn in February
The UAE’s monetary base rose 3.1 percent to 816.6 billion dirhams. The increase was supported by an 11.4 percent rise in overnight deposits and current accounts held by banks and financial institutions at the central bank.
UAE gross banking assets climb to $1.26tn in February
Updated 08 May 2025
Nadin Hassan
RIYADH: The UAE’s banking sector witnessed continued momentum in February, as key indicators of liquidity and credit expanded steadily.
Gross banking assets, including bankers’ acceptances, rose by 1.6 percent to 4.63 trillion dirhams ($1.26 trillion), according to data from the Central Bank of the UAE.
Gross credit also saw an uptick, increasing by 0.9 percent to 2.21 trillion dirhams, driven by a 17.1 billion dirham jump in foreign credit and a 1.7 billion dirham rise in domestic credit.
Meanwhile, M1 — the narrowest measure of the country’s money supply — climbed 1.8 percent to 982.9 billion dirhams, supported by gains in both currency in circulation and demand deposits.
The monthly increase was driven by a 13.5 billion dirham gain in monetary deposits and a 4.1 billion dirham rise in currency outside banks.
M1 — comprising physical currency and current account balances — is a key measure of liquidity immediately available for household and business spending.
The pickup in M1 comes amid a broader expansion in liquidity across the UAE’s financial system, reflecting stable credit conditions and sustained economic activity. The UAE has been supported by robust non-oil growth, rising investment, and steady financial sector performance heading into 2025.
Broader money aggregates also advanced, with M2 — which includes savings and time deposits in addition to M1 — rising 1.8 percent to 2.36 trillion dirhams, supported by a 25 billion dirham increase in quasi-monetary deposits.
M3, which includes M2 and government deposits, grew 0.8 percent to 2.81 trillion dirhams. The rise was primarily driven by the M2 expansion, offsetting a 19 billion dirham decline in government deposits.
The UAE’s monetary base rose 3.1 percent to 816.6 billion dirhams. The increase was supported by an 11.4 percent rise in overnight deposits and current accounts held by banks and financial institutions at the central bank.
Monetary bills and Islamic certificates of deposit rose 6.2 percent, while currency issuance increased 3.4 percent. These gains outweighed a 6.1 percent drop in reserve account balances.
Within domestic credit, lending to the private sector rose 0.7 percent, and loans to non-banking financial institutions jumped 5.2 percent. These increases offset a 2 percent decline in credit to government-related entities and a 1.4 percent drop in lending to the government sector.
The country’s total bank deposits climbed by 1.2 percent, reaching 2.87 trillion dirhams at the end of February, up from 2.84 trillion dirhams in January.
This growth was driven by a 0.8 percent rise in resident deposits and a 5.1 percent increase in non-resident deposits.
The increase in resident deposits was attributed to higher deposits from government-related entities by 3.8 percent, private sector by 1.4 percent, and non-banking financial institutions by 5.6 percent, which outweighed a 4 percent decline in government sector deposits.
RIYADH: Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia has been approved to conduct market-making activities for 52 companies listed on the Kingdom’s stock exchange, according to a statement on Tadawul.
The US-based multinational investment banking company’s applications are set to cover securities on the main and parallel markets, commencing on July 1.
Market makers are exchange members responsible for maintaining liquidity in listed securities by continuously posting buy and sell quotes during the market open session. They must adhere to market-making obligations set by Tadawul, which include requirements such as maximum spread, minimum order size, presence time, and daily traded value.
Among the securities listed on the main index, Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia will act as a market maker for Riyad Bank, where it will ensure a minimum presence of orders at 80 percent, maintain a size of SR250,000 ($66,660), and adhere to a maximum spread of 0.65 percent, with the lowest value traded of 5 percent.
It will also provide services for Saudi Awwal Bank, ensuring a minimum presence of orders of 80 percent, a minimum order size of SR250,000, a maximum spread of 0.65 percent, and a value traded of at least 5 percent.
Saudi Arabian Mining Co., Astra Industrial Group, and Etihad Etisalat Co. are also among the companies where those requirements will be met, along with Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi Arabian Oil Co., and Saudi Telecom Co.
Additionally, a range of firms will be subject to a minimum order presence of 80 percent, a minimum order size of SR150,000, and a maximum bid-ask spread of 0.65 percent, without any minimum value traded requirement. These include ACWA Power Co., Saudi Electricity Co., and Ades Holding Co.
Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia will also cover several other securities on the main market, ensuring a minimum presence of orders at 50 percent, maintaining a minimum size of SR75,000, and a maximum spread of 2 percent.
On Nomu, the firm is responsible for guaranteeing a minimum presence of orders at 50 percent, maintaining a minimum size of SR50,000, and adhering to a maximum spread of 5 percent, with no minimum value traded requirements for a range of companies, including, Waja Co., Jana Medical Co., and Purity for Information Technology Co.
Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia’s participation in market making is expected to contribute to greater liquidity and a more efficient trading environment, reinforcing the development of the country’s capital market.
Tadawul approved a similar move for the investment bank in March, where it served as a market maker for eight separate securities listed on both Saudi indices.
Morgan Stanley entered the Saudi market in 2007 and has since set up its regional headquarters in Riyadh in November as part of a program launched by the Kingdom to provide businesses with a range of incentives, such as a 30-year exemption from corporate income tax, withholding tax on headquarters operations, and access to discounts and support services.
Oil Updates — prices steady as investors watch OPEC+ decision
Updated 01 July 2025
Reuters
SINGAPORE: Oil prices steadied on Tuesday after sliding earlier in the session, with the market weighing expectations of an OPEC+ output hike in August in an upcoming meeting.
Brent crude rose 10 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $66.84 a barrel by 8:35 a.m. Saudi time, while US West Texas Intermediate crude inched up 9 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $65.20 a barrel.
“The market is now concerned that the OPEC+ alliance will continue with its accelerated rate of output increases,” ANZ senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes said in a note.
Four OPEC+ sources told Reuters last week that the group plans to raise output by 411,000 barrels per day in August, following similar hikes in May, June, and July.
If approved, this would bring OPEC+’s total supply increase for the year to 1.78 million bpd, equivalent to more than 1.5 percent of global oil demand. OPEC and its allies including Russia, together known as OPEC+, will meet on July 6.
“These larger supply increases should leave the global oil market well supplied for the remainder of the year,” ING commodities strategists said.
“Expectations for a comfortable oil balance, along with a large amount of OPEC spare production capacity, appear to be comforting the market,” ING added.
Uncertainty about US tariffs and their impact on global growth also kept a lid on oil prices.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that countries could be notified of sharply higher tariffs despite good-faith negotiations as a July 9 deadline approaches, when tariff rates are scheduled to revert from a temporary 10 percent level to President Donald Trump’s suspended rates of 11 percent to 50 percent announced on April 2.
Morgan Stanley expects Brent futures to retrace to around $60 by early next year, with the market being well supplied and geopolitical risk abating following the Israel-Iran de-escalation. It expects an oversupply of 1.3 million bpd in 2026.
A 12-day war that started with Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 13 pushed up Brent prices. They surged above $80 a barrel after the US bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities and then slumped to $67 after Trump announced an Iran-Israel ceasefire.
Closing Bell: Saudi TASI closes lower at 11,163 amid mixed performance
MSCI Tadawul 30 Index slipped 0.36% to end at 1,428.86
Parallel market Nomu rose 0.34% to finish at 27,341.63
Updated 30 June 2025
NOUR EL-SHAERI
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index fell 0.35 percent to close at 11,163.96 on Monday, weighed by losses in several blue-chip stocks.
Trading activity remained robust, with turnover reaching SR7.3 billion ($1.9 billion), with the market recording 118 advancers versus 133 decliners.
The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index slipped 0.36 percent to end at 1,428.86, while the parallel market Nomu rose 0.34 percent to finish at 27,341.63.
Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co. led the main market gainers with a 9.96 percent rise to SR24.62.
National Metal Manufacturing and Casting Co. followed with a 9.29 percent gain, closing at SR16.83.
Other notable performers included Buruj Cooperative Insurance Co., which advanced 7.40 percent to SR18.00, and The Mediterranean and Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co., up 7.16 percent at SR20.06.
On the downside, Al Maather REIT Fund recorded the steepest decline, falling 3.33 percent to SR9.01.
Etihad Etisalat Co. dropped 3.10 percent to SR59.30, while MBC Group Co. slipped 2.99 percent to SR35.70. Rasan Information Technology Co. also retreated 2.69 percent to close at SR86.90.
On the announcement front, ACWA Power Co. released details regarding its planned capital increase through a rights issue.
The company set the offering price at SR210 per share, with a total of 33,928,570 new shares to be issued.
Following the offering, ACWA Power’s capital will rise from SR7.33 billion to SR7.66 billion, increasing the total number of shares to 766,490,498.
The transaction represents 4.63 percent of the issuer’s existing capital and is valued at SR7.12 billion.
ACWA Power said the proceeds will support its strategy to triple the assets under management by 2030 and strengthen its financial position.
Eligibility for the rights issue will apply to shareholders registered at the end of the second trading day following the date of an extraordinary general assembly.
ACWA Power shares closed up 4.07 percent on Monday at SR256.00, with over 1.1 million shares traded.
Saudi Arabia’s PIF assets rise 18% to $1.15tn as portfolio firms drive growth
Sovereign wealth fund reported gross revenues of SR413 billion for 2024
It reported a net profit of SR26 billion in 2024
Updated 30 June 2025
Nirmal Narayanan
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund boosted its total assets to SR4.32 trillion ($1.15 trillion) by the end of 2024, an 18 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to a disclosure filed with the London Stock Exchange.
The sovereign wealth fund reported gross revenues of SR413 billion for 2024, reflecting a 25 percent year-on-year rise. This growth was fueled by solid performance across several portfolio companies, including Savvy, Ma’aden, stc, Saudi National Bank, AviLease, and Gulf International Bank, as well as dividend income from Saudi Aramco.
PIF, often described as the financial engine of Saudi Arabia, plays a central role in advancing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and reduce dependency on oil income.
“Long-term projects, that are beginning to mature, are also now generating significantly more revenue,” the disclosure document stated.
Despite global macroeconomic challenges such as high interest rates, inflationary pressure, and select asset impairments, the fund reported a net profit of SR26 billion in 2024.
PIF is shaping the future of urban development, creating thriving communities that meet the needs of modern living.
The filing clarified that the impairments were “primarily related to changes to operational plans and increases in budgeted costs and represent less than a 2 percent reduction in total assets.”
PIF’s cash reserves held steady at SR316 billion, while loans and borrowings rose modestly to SR570 billion, reflecting continued diversification of its funding sources via international capital markets.
In 2024, the fund issued $2 billion in dollar-denominated sukuk and launched its first-ever sterling bond worth £650 million ($825.5 million). It also refinanced a $15 billion revolving credit facility, underlining market confidence in its creditworthiness and long-term investment outlook.
PIF’s debt ratio remained unchanged at 13 percent by the end of the year, the disclosure noted.
“Over 2024, PIF continued to advance its position as one of the world’s most impactful investors, while driving economic transformation in Saudi Arabia,” the document added.
It highlighted strategic progress in sectors such as leisure and tourism, industrial capabilities, capital markets, and the development of new industries.
Among standout performers, AviLease recorded a 350 percent surge in net profit to SR228 million and a 306 percent rise in revenue to SR2.1 billion. The aircraft leasing company expanded its fleet to 189 aircraft, comprising 163 owned, 22 managed, and four on order.
Meanwhile, Alat — another PIF-backed firm — invested SR401 million to establish an AI-driven robotics manufacturing facility in the Kingdom through a joint venture with SoftBank Robotics.
Riyadh leads Saudi Arabia’s commercial real estate growth with 23% rise in office rents
Average rents for office spaces in Riyadh saw an annual rise of 23%
Jeddah’s total office stock is expected to rise 1.8 million sq. meters by 2027
Updated 30 June 2025
Nirmal Narayanan
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s commercial real estate sector is witnessing exponential growth, with rents for Grade A office spaces in the Kingdom’s capital reaching SR2,700 ($719.95) per sq. meter by the end of March, an analysis showed.
In its latest report, global real estate consultancy Knight Frank said average rents for office spaces in Riyadh witnessed an annual rise of 23 percent by the end of the first quarter, driven by the success of government-led initiatives, including the ambitious regional headquarters program.
Strengthening the real estate sector is one of the key goals outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda, as the nation aims to position itself as a leading business and tourism destination by the end of the decade.
The Kingdom’s Real Estate General Authority expects the property market to reach $101.62 billion by 2029, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate of 8 percent from 2024.
Saudi Arabia’s regional headquarters program offers benefits to international firms, including a 30-year exemption from corporate income tax. File/SPA
“Saudi Arabia’s economic momentum continued to strengthen across key sectors in 2024, underpinned by rising private sector activity,” said Faisal Durrani, partner — head of research for the Middle East and North Africa at Knight Frank.
According to the report, the Kingdom’s Grade A office rents witnessed an occupancy level of 98 percent by the end of March.
Grade B rents grew by 24 percent year on year by the end of the first quarter, while the occupancy level of these spaces stood at 97 percent.
Grade A office spaces command higher rents than the area average, thanks to their prime locations, modern infrastructure, and newer construction.
In contrast, Grade B office spaces are more affordable, offering a lower-cost alternative to Grade A units.
Average daily rate in Madinah reached SR891 by the end of the first quarter. File/SPA
The report further said that around 600 companies have announced plans to establish their regional headquarters by the end of February, significantly boosting demand for prime office spaces.
Saudi Arabia’s regional headquarters program offers benefits to international firms, including a 30-year exemption from corporate income tax and withholding tax on headquarters activities, as well as discounts and support services.
“A total of 14,303 foreign business investment licenses were issued during 2024, a 67 percent increase from 2023, marking the highest annual figure on record and underscoring the sustained appeal of Saudi Arabia to global corporates and investors,” said Durrani.
The analysis added that Jeddah is also experiencing significant growth in the commercial real estate sector, with both Grade A and Grade B occupancies reaching 95 percent by the end of March.
Knight Frank said Grade A office rents in Jeddah reached SR1,280 per sq. meter, marking a 4 percent year-on-year growth, while Grade B office rents grew by 6 percent to reach SR845 per sq. meter.
Jeddah’s total office stock is expected to rise from 1.6 million sq. meters this year to 1.8 million sq. meters by 2027.
“As more companies expand their footprint across Saudi Arabia, Jeddah is attracting a growing number of regional and local firms. This rising interest is being supported by a healthy office development pipeline,” said James Hodgetts, partner — occupier strategy and solutions at Knight Frank.
The Saudi Real Estate General Authority expects the property market to reach $101.62 billion by 2029. Saudipedia
He added: “Upcoming projects include Jeddah Gate, which is expected to deliver 230,000 sq. meters between 2025 and 2028, and Jeddah Rose, a mixed-use development bringing 25,000 sq. meters of office space to the market by the end of 2025.”
In May, Jeddah Municipality announced 29 new investment opportunities spanning over 1.4 million sq. meters, targeting sectors including commercial, industrial, residential, and recreational.
The package includes 13 commercial opportunities featuring the development and operation of retail shops and commercial complexes across various districts.
In April, a separate report released by credit rating agency S&P Global said that the Kingdom’s retail real estate market is poised for growth in the near term, driven by population growth, expanding tourism, and economic diversification efforts under the Vision 2030 initiative.
S&P Global added that ongoing mega projects and the expansion of international brands are expected to propel further demand for retail space nationwide.
Hospitality overview
According to the study, the average daily rate in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector increased by 10.8 percent year on year by the end of March, while revenue per available room increased by 12.3 percent during the same period.
Growth of the Kingdom’s hospitality sector was largely driven by gains in the nation’s holy cities and Riyadh. File/SPA
The report said the growth of the Kingdom’s hospitality sector was largely driven by gains in the nation’s holy cities and Riyadh.
In the first quarter of 2025, ADR in Makkah rose by 28.9 percent year on year to SR859, while RevPAR was up by 35.7 percent to SR673.
Citing data from the Ministry of Hajj, Knight Frank said the surge in performance in Makkah reflected heightened demand linked to the rise in issued Umrah visas, which grew by 8.3 percent.
With more than 8,500 rooms under construction across 12 hotel developments, Makkah’s total inventory is set to increase from 63,428 to 71,643 rooms by 2027, the report added.
According to the analysis, ADR in Madinah reached SR891 by the end of the first quarter, representing an 11.8 percent year-on-year rise, while RevPAR rose by 15.1 percent to SR724.
Madinah currently has 20,673 hotel rooms, and an additional 2,100 keys are expected to be delivered by 2027. Major international operators continue to expand their presence, including Hilton and Marriott, with planned openings totaling over 6,000 rooms.
Rua Al-Madinah, a new giga-project situated east of the Prophet’s Mosque, is also poised to reshape the hospitality landscape, with over 47,000 planned hotel rooms.
“These latest figures point to resilient demand amid limited new supply and further highlight Madinah’s pricing strength,” said Amar Hussain, associate partner — research, Middle East at Knight Frank.
Jeddah is also experiencing significant growth in the commercial real estate sector. File/SPA
He added: “Pilgrim arrivals in the city are expected to reach 30 million by 2030, up from 17.3 million in 2025, reflecting the city’s growing role as a global hub for religious tourism.”
Data Centers
Knight Frank said Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as the Middle East’s leading data hub, with plans to grow its data center market from $1.78 billion in 2023 to $3.2 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.1 percent.
The report noted that Saudi Arabia’s total IT capacity is expected to increase from around 250-300 megawatts in 2024 to more than 1,000-MW by 2030, driven by strategic government initiatives and substantial investment in digital infrastructure.
During the LEAP 2025 conference in February, Cathy Mauzaize, US-based software firm ServiceNow’s president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said that the company is set to launch data centers in the Kingdom in 2026.
In the same month, Alfanar Global Development also announced a $1.4 billion investment plan to develop four world-class data centers in Saudi Arabia.
Knight Frank added that all tier-one US cloud providers, including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Oracle, have either launched operations or announced further expansions in the Kingdom.
Amazon Web Services alone has committed $5.3 billion to scale up its cloud services across key cities.
Chinese firms such as Alibaba Cloud and Huawei Cloud have also established a local presence.
“Saudi Arabia is now the fastest growing market for data centers as the country continues its drive toward national digitalization,” said Stephen Beard, global head of data centers at Knight Frank.
He added: “The Kingdom’s development of data center infrastructure has been driven largely by adoption of public cloud and sustained public and private investment, transforming it into one of the top five global AI superpowers — evident in the recent launch of the $100 billion Transcendence AI Initiative.”
Saudi Arabia launched Project Transcendence in November, a $100 billion AI initiative aimed at building data centers, supporting startups, and developing infrastructure.
The initiative promises to bring together expertise, infrastructure, and innovation to position the Kingdom at the forefront of AI advancements.
