NBK provides you with timely economic research and analysis on local, regional and international markets, keeping you better informed and up-to-date on the latest trends and developments.
ECONOMIC REPORTS

Saudi cuts output at OPEC+ meet in bid to support prices amid softer demand


Kuwait: Consumer spending strong in Q1, but growth could moderate ahead



Economic indicators paint a mixed picture of the recovery


Growth under pressure amid ongoing currency weakness



Solid consumer spending in 1Q23, but global headwinds trigger oil price drop



Kuwait: Weak credit growth in 1Q2023, especially in terms of household credit


Real estate sales weaken in 1Q23 on market uncertainty and tighter liquidity



Oil prices reverse all gains from OPEC+ cut decision in April amid recession fears


Kuwait: Inflation edges up in 1Q23 amid still firm consumer activity


High oil prices and reform drive cushion GCC economies against global slowdown



GDP surprises on the upside in 1Q23 though weak manufacturing weighs on the outlook


Growth moderates as oil output falls and World Cup boost fades



Growth to slow after 2022 surge, but ambitious development drive persists


Delay in reforms puts economy in a tighter spot


Bond yields fell in 1Q23 amid higher recession risks and softening inflation


Project market stages recovery in 1Q23, sets positive tone for the year


Equities mostly positive in 1Q23 as easing inflation and softer policy outlook lend support



Refining gains to support non-oil growth as consumer boom slows


Non-oil sector to remain resilient despite the headwinds


Oil market weakness in March spurs OPEC+ to deepen production cuts



Kuwait: Population and employment rise in 2022, but still below pre-Covid levels



Post-pandemic recovery underway, but uncertainty looms



Economic indicators improved recently but US bank turmoil triggers alarm




Oil prices soften in February as central bank monetary tightening dominates sentiment



Economic activity solid but easing in final quarter of 2022


Government looks to post-Covid economic revival after weak 2022



Kuwait: Consumer spending robust in 4Q22 but growth eases from previous quarters


Kuwait: Uptick in activity in 4Q22 but full-year sales marginally down after strong 2021



Tentative start for oil prices in 2023, but sentiment slowly turning more bullish



Kuwait: Credit growth at 7.7% in 2022, fastest yearly increase since 2015


Kuwait: Inflation at 4% in 2022 amid firm demand and global supply chain disruptions



GDP growth slows to multi-decade low in 2022; post-Covid outlook cautiously positive



Activity rebounds in 4Q22, helps lift subdued year for projects market


Sovereign bond yields fluctuate in 4Q22 on shifting inflation and interest rate outlook



Equities mixed in 4Q22; outlook for 2023 affected by uncertain growth, policy prospects


Kuwait: 2022 current account balance on track for largest surplus since 2014


Oil prices end 2022 on positive note despite global recession and oil demand fears



Covid reopening lifts prospects following weak readings of late


Solid consumer spending continues to support economy as oil prices fall back




Kuwait: Deficit narrows in FY21/22; first surplus since 2014 expected this year


Signs of peak inflation means rate hikes will slow, but downturn risks persist



Oil prices decline in November on intensifying global economy concerns



Prolonged Covid restrictions weigh on economic activity


Gulf economies to fare relatively well in 2023 as global growth slows


Kuwait: Property sales eased in 3Q22 on seasonal factors, fading of post-pandemic demand boom



Kuwait: Inflation eased in 3Q22 amid fading pent-up demand and supply chain effects



Kuwait: Consumer spending solid but growth easing after swift post-Covid recovery



Kuwait: Credit growth decelerated in Q3, cutting y/y growth to 9.1%


Higher energy prices, reform progress and World Cup boost economic performance across the Gulf


Oil prices recover in October, supported by OPEC+ cuts and tighter market outlook



IMF deal unlocks critical financing, path to economic recovery in 2H23


Economic, fiscal performance boosted by oil gains; longer-term growth hinges on reforms



Economic growth picks up in Q3, but other indicators paint a mixed picture


Kuwait: Population increased in 1H22, though still well below pre-Covid peak


Project activity shrinks in 3Q22, full year drop now looks likely


Growth bolstered by high oil prices, tourism rebound and buoyant real estate demand



Sovereign bond yields rise sharply amid persistent inflation and outsized rate hikes


Robust non-oil growth in 2023 despite the headwinds


Global equities rout accelerates in 3Q22 as rate hike and stagflation fears intensify




Oil prices retreat again in September as global economic recession fears intensify



Economic activity continues to struggle as uncertainty lingers



Central banks ratchet-up policy tightening to address high inflation




Oil prices fall in August on global economic recession fears, possible Iran supply boost



Sovereign bond yields waver amid shifting inflation and monetary policy outlook



Economic activity weakens amid repeated Covid lockdowns and property sector woes


Kuwait: Investment and commercial sector sales remain strong in 2Q22


Domestic economic indicators so far solid as global growth worries intensify



Kuwait: Solid second quarter drives up credit growth to 9.6% y/y



Kuwait: Inflation unchanged at 4.4% at end of second quarter, but scope to ease in H2




Growth target unlikely to be met; favorable signs for Q3 recovery



Project activity eases in 2Q22, with slow approvals, supply chain issues weighing



Inflation, hawkish Fed policy and recession fears spur steep declines in equity markets in 2Q22



Fed remains aggressively hawkish while risk of stagflation is rising


Oil prices retreat as global recession fears weigh on sentiment


Signs of tentative economic recovery as China slowly emerges from Covid lockdown



World economy faces growing headwinds as central banks tighten policy



Kuwait: Real estate sales strengthen in 1Q22 with buyers’ focus shifting to the investment sector



Kuwait’s economic outlook boosted as oil prices surge and pandemic pressures fade



High oil prices help Gulf region ride out global economic headwinds


Oil prices up at nine-week highs as attention switches to tight refined products market



Covid-19 lockdowns hit economic activity; yuan weakens on rate cuts, capital outflows


USD index and 10-year treasury yields soar amid high inflation and monetary tightening


Kuwait: Consumer prices up again in 1Q22 amid persistent global inflationary pressures


Robust private sector activity, World Cup, and elevated gas prices underpin strong outlook



Growth seen above 5% in 2022-23, but weaker global economy a risk to trade and investment


Kuwait: Rebound in business lending drives up overall credit growth to 8.7% y/y



Higher oil prices and structural reform measures strengthen the economic outlook


Growth hit as persistent economic imbalances and Ukraine war trigger financial turmoil


Fiscal surplus and ambitious reform and investment plan offer more upbeat outlook



Economic growth to spike this year on oil sector gains, but reform needs persist


Better than expected growth in Q1 but Covid outbreak and Ukraine war weigh on activity


Sovereign bond yields soar amid high inflation and increasingly hawkish Fed policy


Solid growth momentum to be sustained



Project activity eases in 1Q22, should pick up in 2Q22




Oil prices fall on emergency stock releases but Russia/OPEC supply shortfalls mounting




Fed begins aggressive tightening cycle, ends QE amid rampant inflation and higher employment


Russia-Ukraine war provides major new threat to global economy



Industrial output and retail sales up in Feb but Covid-19, geopolitics weigh on outlook


Kuwait: Current account surplus declines in 3Q21 on lower investment income




Kuwait: 10-month deficit shrinks on higher oil revenues; draft budget for FY22/23 sees spending cuts


High inflation, strong growth set to trigger multiple Fed rate hikes in 2022


Kuwait: Inflation at 4.3% in December amid higher housing costs, global food price pressures



Kuwait: Real estate sales reach 7-year high in 2021 supported by residential sector strength


Consumer and oil sector gains drive economic recovery amid improving public finances



Uncertain growth prospects prompt further policy intervention


Kuwait: Driven by households, credit up 6.3% in 2021, the highest since 2015


Oil surges to seven-year highs above $90 on supply worries and geopolitical risk


Inflation and imminent monetary policy normalization push sovereign yields higher




Project activity picked up slightly in 2021 and should improve further in 2022



Oil rally extends into the New Year on resilient demand and tighter supply


Global stocks end year on a high note as strong earnings outweigh Omicron and inflation fears



Softening economic activity prompts policy intervention



Fed to end asset purchases early and signals multiple rate hikes in 2022 amid soaring inflation




Omicron risk, China slowdown threaten to knock momentum from global recovery



OPEC+ sticks with supply increases despite Omicron and SPR release pressures


Saudi Arabia: Reaping the benefits of reforms and effective policymaking


Kuwait: Inflation at 3.2% in July on higher demand and rising food prices



Key economic indicators remain soft as stagflation worries rise


Kuwait: Fiscal deficit narrows as higher oil prices boost revenues


Kuwait: Record spending in October, driving broader economic recovery



GDP growth slows in 3Q amid surging inflation, supply constraints and labor shortages



Kuwait: Real estate sales in Q3 top pre-pandemic levels as residential sector rally continues


Stronger oil market, diminishing pandemic pressures provide tailwind for GCC economic recovery


Kuwait: Strong household credit growth but muted business credit expansion


Kuwait project activity dips in 3Q21 amid delays and supply chain constraints


Consumption driving the economic rebound as higher oil prices ease public finance and liquidity pressures



Prices at near 7-year highs as OPEC+ sticks to output increase plan



Economy exhibiting solid rebound as pandemic pressures ease, reform measures continue


Global stocks regain traction in October as solid earnings offset inflation and Fed tapering concerns


Economic growth slows amid energy shortage and property market struggles



Growth in 2022 to benefit from World Cup, and further out by Vision 2030-linked investments


Economy recovering, but fiscal consolidation remains a priority


Economy to improve steadily as reform program accelerates



Economic recovery picking up pace, but commitment to reforms remains crucial


Global sovereign yields rise on higher inflation and expectations of tighter Fed policy ahead


A quick recovery and a favorable outlook driven by reform momentum



Economic outlook improving on robust consumer activity, oil output gains and higher oil prices



Oil prices surge on improved demand outlook and supply tightness


Kuwait: External surplus falls in 1Q21 on lower investment income, oil exports up



Growth outlook eases as economic indicators soften, property market concerns rise



Delta worries, supply shortages temper global recovery optimism



Kuwait: Population continues to decline as expat numbers fall



Kuwait: Fiscal deficit reaches all-time high of KD10.8 billion in FY20/21


Kuwait: External surplus falls in 2020 on lower oil exports; reserves at record high


Reforms help in sustaining growth and dealing with the Pandemic



Q2 GDP data confirms continued economic recovery, while inflation remains elevated


Oil prices recover after falling on oil demand concerns caused by rising Delta infections



Kuwait: Spending solid amid vaccination progress and economy reopening


Growth prospects remain uncertain as economy stabilizes



Kuwait: Accelerating household credit growth and improving business credit trends



Fresh virus worries dent recovery optimism as US inflation spikes higher



Growth eased in the second quarter as recovery uncertainty lingers


Global equities advance in Q2 amid stronger data, recovery optimism and bullish sentiment


Employment and activity data point to continued economic recovery but inflation worries mount



Global sovereign yields trend downwards as Fed signals policy shift, transitory inflation


Kuwait project awards higher in 2Q21, lifted by the construction sector




Growth accelerates despite ongoing pandemic pressures, reform challenges



Federal Reserve signals tighter policy ahead amid strong growth and higher inflation


Kuwait: Current account surplus up in 4Q20 on higher investment income



Economic activity gaining traction in the second quarter, led by robust consumer spending


Economic growth surged in Q1 on strong base effects, but recovery may be slowing


Economic recovery gathers pace but fresh US inflation spike fuels concern



GDP declines 8.9% in pandemic-affected 2020; consumers leading the recovery



Oil tops $70 on improving oil demand outlook and continued supply tightness


Kuwait: Real estate sales return to pre-pandemic levels supported by robust residential sector




US growth outlook strong but inflation spike triggers overheating concern


Kuwait: Spending solid despite lingering pandemic uncertainty and restrictions



Kuwait: Inflation edges up to 3.2% in 1Q 2021, led by higher food costs


Kuwait: Robust household but weak business credit in 1Q2021


Oil heads towards $70 on oil demand optimism and despite India Covid worries


US macroeconomic data shows strong signs of recovery backed by stimulus and vaccine rollout



Global equities continue to advance on stimulus, central bank dovishness and recovery optimism


Kuwait’s international trade saw further recovery during 4Q20



Economy improving slowly with ongoing pandemic but should be buttressed by reforms


US treasury yields touch 15-month high as stimulus and vaccines lend support to outlook



Kuwait project awards gather pace in 1Q21, but activity still lower than expected



Global growth revised up as Biden outlines giant infrastructure proposal


Recovery underway, but region faces extensive post-pandemic reform agenda


Pandemic-linked oil demand concerns continue to weigh on oil prices



Pro-growth reforms to support economy, downside risks persist


Rapid vaccine rollout to underpin economic recovery


Growth prospects improving, need for reforms persists


Gradual recovery with fiscal adjustment remains a priority.



Economy shows resilience amid pandemic, growth outlook looks solid


Resilient in 2020; gradual recovery in 2021


Kuwait: Current account surplus remained large in 3Q20 helped by oil exports and investment income



US economic recovery underway, supported by stimulus and vaccine rollout


GDP recovers slightly in third quarter of 2020 as Covid-19 restrictions eased



Economic recovery hopes – and inflation worries – trigger a sharp rise in bond yields



OPEC+ supply restraint decision sends oil prices towards $70



Economic recovery remains on track despite renewed rise in virus cases


Kuwait’s trade rebounded in 3Q20 driven by higher oil prices


Kuwait: Population falls to below 4.7 million as expatriate numbers drop



Faster global economic recovery expected but virus path still a risk


Kuwait: Inflation edges up in 2020, with higher food costs the main contributor


Kuwait: Credit growth at 3.5% in 2020 following a weak Q4





Kuwait: Fiscal deficit widened in the first 9M of FY20/21 on rising spending


Kuwait project awards weaker in 4Q20, but may show modest recovery in 2021


Vaccine rollout and oil price recovery offer hope after tough year for Kuwaiti economy



Mixed macroeconomic data points to strong business activity despite ongoing labor market weakness



Vaccine rollout and Biden stimulus plan offer hope amid growth concerns



Global equities end year on a strong note, aided by stimulus and vaccine optimism






Pace of economic recovery moderates on virus surge and new restrictions


Kuwait: Current account surplus narrows further in 2Q20 on oil price plunge


Kuwait: Fiscal deficit at KD1.9 billion in 1H FY20/21 mainly on weak oil revenues



Vaccine progress and stimulus hopes fuel economic optimism, stock market surge



Kuwait: The official budget for FY2020/21 projects a deficit of KD14.1 billion


Kuwait: Consumer spending outlook contingent on labor market recovery




Relatively good economic performance during difficult times bodes well for the outlook


Kuwait: Current account surplus narrowed to near three-year low in 1Q20


Kuwait: Fiscal deficit in Q1 FY20/21 was smaller than expected, but set to rise



US treasury yields rise in 3Q20 amid improved economic data and stimulus expectations



Resurgent virus sparks economy worries, before markets rally on vaccine news



US GDP growth rebounds sharply in 3Q20 following the easing of coronavirus containment measures


Kuwait: Inflation picks up in Q3 on rebounding consumer demand and supply-side disruptions


Pandemic and low oil prices leave the region with tough policy choices


Kuwait’s trade surplus narrowed on low oil exports in 1H20


Oil hit by resurgent coronavirus; pressure increases on OPEC+ to delay easing cuts


Kuwait: Real estate sales rebound in the third quarter following the lifting of restrictions



Kuwait: Project awards pick up in 3Q as lockdown measures ease


Economic activity recovers in Q3, but low oil prices and fresh global virus spread weigh on recovery




Virus ‘second wave’ casts doubt on global economic recovery, as US election nears


Global equities rally extends into 3Q20 on stimulus, vaccine and recovery hopes






Economic boost from restriction-lifting may be fading, pointing to slower recovery ahead



Oil prices under pressure over oil demand worries due to spiking Covid-19 infections





Recovery and vaccine hopes fuel equity rally; Fed switches inflation target


Global yields show signs of stability on improving economic data, recovery optimism



US GDP sees record drop in 2Q20, though surveys point to Q3 rebound


UAE: COVID-19 fallout weighs heavily on tourism activity



Kuwait’s budget deficit widened in FY19/20 on lower oil prices


Oil prices look for traction amid persistent coronavirus-weakened economic activity


Kuwait: Consumer sector showcases some resilience as mobility restrictions ease



Kuwait: Inflation eases in Q2, expected to remain soft on weak economic conditions


Kuwait: Second quarter real estate sales at historical lows on coronavirus woes


Kuwait: Credit growth at 3.8% y/y by the end of 2Q2020



Slump in Q2 GDP figures highlights pandemic fallout


Kuwait: GDP contracts in 1Q20 as activity weakens partly due to coronavirus measures



Kuwait: Project awards decline in 2Q amid government lockdown


Oil prices rangebound in July as virus persistence clouds outlook


Macroeconomic data continues to improve, but resurgent trade and coronavirus risks may weigh


Global equities rallied in 2Q20 on massive central bank stimulus



Growth remains solid; the pandemic clouds the outlook


Economy recovering but downside risks stemming from lackluster demand persist


Oil price rally in Q2 and lockdown easing see economic conditions improve



Economic recovery hopes tempered by renewed virus concerns


Kuwait: Current account surplus in 2019 reaches highest level since 2014





Signs of improvement in data as economy reopens, but virus risks continue to weigh



Kuwait: Coronavirus expected to impact commercial and investment sectors in 2Q20


Kuwait: Inflation edges up in Q1, should soften on weaker economic conditions


Activity shows tentative signs of revival as lockdown measures start to ease


1Q20 sees sharp contraction in GDP amid virus lockdown, while unemployment surges


Economic recovery post-lockdown weighed down by slump in global demand


Kuwait: Consumer sector to sputter as Covid-19 crisis weighs on spending, jobs


Growth outlook hit, fiscal deficit to widen as virus-related lockdowns cause huge disruption


Oil prices rally on signs of recovering oil demand and OPEC+ supply reductions


Virus uncertainty and bleak economic outlook weighs down on bond yields


Kuwait: Credit growth stable at 4.4% y/y by the end of 1Q2020


Twin challenge of Covid-19 and plunging oil prices to hit Kuwaiti growth this year



Major economies see activity plunge as lockdown measures take their toll


Fed cuts rates and oil prices plunge as virus spreads and OPEC+ pact crumbles



Kuwait: Notable improvement on the Ease of Doing Business—more is needed for FDI


Divergence of GCC and global yields in 4Q19 while regional issuance moderated


Oil markets roiled by coronavirus as global oil demand projections slashed


GDP growth steady in 4Q19, but coronavirus concerns weigh down on outlook



Kuwait: Consumer spending likely to maintain positive momentum in 2020


Kuwait: Budget deficit at KD2.3bn in 10M FY19/20 as oil prices fall




Coronavirus worries hit financial markets and Chinese growth prospects



Kuwait: Non-oil activity accelerates in Q3 but overall growth slows due to oil cuts


Draft FY20/21 budget leaves spending on hold; consumer spending growth accelerated in Q4


Kuwait: Project awards slow-down in 4Q19, may show modest recovery in 2020


Saudi Arabia: Promising outlook guided by Vision 2030



Unemployment steady at record lows, but manufacturing activity remains weak


Global equities rallied in 4Q19 on Fed support and easing trade tensions



Oil prices soften as markets refocus on fundamentals after Iran-US standoff


Economy sees signs of stabilization as stimulative measures take effect



Further rise in geopolitical tensions could set back markets after strong end to 2019



Fed policy expected to remain neutral amid signs of strength in economic data



Oil sector to underpin economic growth pick-up in 2020-22



The economy remains resilient despite global economic headwinds


Structural reforms needed to underpin the favorable macro outlook


Pessimism on growth outlook recedes despite US-China trade deal uncertainty


Kuwait: Real estate sales moderate in October from a solid third quarter



Lebanon: Is there a Way out of the Economic Doldrums?



Kuwait: Rising current spending leads to budget deficit in 7M FY19/20


GDP growth eased slightly in Q3, but no further Fed rate cuts foreseen in 2019


Saudi Arabia: Saudization and the private sector employment challenge



Global bond yields fell in 3Q amid growth concerns; GCC issuance remained solid


Kuwait: Credit growth slowed to 4.2% y/y by the end of September


Kuwait: Inflation rises in 3Q19, but housing rents remain soft



Oil rally stalls on reemergence of global growth concerns amid rising oil stocks



Fed cuts rates again, while UK faces crucial election to resolve Brexit


Stable outlook despite global and regional risks



Manufacturing activity contracts and retail sales disappoint despite very low unemployment


Global equity markets moderate amid softer data and ongoing trade tensions



Oil prices soften in Q3 on global worries; Kuwait moves up global competitiveness ranking



Central banks cut rates as manufacturing gloom deepens



Oil prices down as global economic growth concerns intensify


Saudi non-oil growth accelerates in the second quarter of the year


Kuwait: Population growth moderates in 1H19; expats employment softens further




Fed cuts rates but core inflation hits 13-month high amid good consumer sentiment





Trade war escalation and growth concerns lead to volatile markets



Kuwait: Project awards relatively weak in 2Q19 but rise sharply in 3Q19




Kuwait: Real estate sales rise modestly in 2Q19, with price trends mostly positive


Q2 GDP growth slows, rate cut expectations grow as markets turn bearish



Kuwait: Credit growth edges lower in 2Q19; CBK leaves policy on hold


GCC debt issuance at record high in 2Q19, benchmark yields continue to fall



Oil prices battered by concerns over weakening global economic growth


Escalation in US-China trade war puts further rate cuts back on the agenda


Kuwait’s current account surplus increases in 1Q19 on higher investment income



Markets continue to be bullish on hopes of rate cuts, but trade and geopolitics weigh



GDP growth picks up in 1Q19; domestic credit continued its gradual recovery



Oil caught between geopolitics and global growth concerns as OPEC+ extends accord


Uncertain global outlook may weigh on the region


Growing uncertainty amid mixed data, chances of rate cut rise, markets rally


Equities rebound as key central banks mull looser policy




Economy improving as government advances development agenda




Non-oil economy to remain supportive of growth


Non-oil activity improving amid record public spending


Steady economic performance; reforms should improve the outlook






Financial markets under pressure in May on fresh concerns over trade


Recent data suggests mild slowdown in US economy; chances of rate cut rise


Kuwait: Real estate sales moderate in 1Q19 on softer investment sector



Egyptian pound strengthens against USD, trading at its highest in two years


Kuwait’s current account surplus rises in 2018 on higher oil prices



Kuwait: Inflation rose in 1Q19, but expected to remain low in 2019


GCC debt issuance strong in 1Q19, while global benchmark yields slide


Consumer spending growth to pick up in 2Q19 after moderating in 1Q19



Stronger Q1 data boosts optimism on global growth outlook





1Q19 GDP growth beats expectations; unemployment at 49-year low



Project awards were low in 2018, but will likely improve in 2019



Oil prices rally to above $70; Kuwait’s non-oil growth reached 2% in 4Q18



Kuwait: Kuwaiti population growth steady; employment in solid recovery



Global bond yields drop on growth concerns and prospect of looser policy



Tightening supplies propel oil prices to best quarterly performance since 2009



Oil output drops amid OPEC cuts; budget could end FY18/19 in broad balance



GDP growth slowed in Q4, while Fed rate hike prospects have faded



Central banks hint at policy shift amid weaker growth signals


Business activity increasing, but credit growth remains subdued; fiscal deficit halves in 2018



Oil prices on the up as tighter market fundamentals stoke bullish sentiment


Inflation remained low in 4Q18, despite modest pick-up in December



Markets continued to rally in February; slim chance of Fed rate hike in 2019



Oil prices rebound in January; draft budget for FY19/20 signals fiscal expansion



Global markets recover as Fed signals policy shift



Kuwait : Real estate sales reach KD1 billion in Q4, the strongest in four years



Higher oil production boosted GDP growth in 3Q18, amid softer non-oil growth



Markets rally in January amid easing trade tensions and less hawkish Fed



Economic growth supported by expansive government investment spending


Global markets pummeled by growth uncertainty and policy tightening


Economic recovery to gain traction as oil and non-oil sector output expands




Non-oil growth seen at 3% in 2019, and fiscal position remains manageable



Fed hikes rates for ninth time; equities see sharp correction


Economic growth improving amid record government spending



Infrastructure investments drive growth amid an improving fiscal picture



Diversification efforts to proceed; public finances should improve


Crude output to be cut amid oil price softness; credit growth edges higher



Kuwait: Credit growth improves in Q3, corporate borrowing is firming up



Global growth concerns weigh on markets; Fed to hike rates in December


3Q18 GDP growth moderates, wage growth reaches nine-year high


Economic reform early success is remarkable; key challenges remain




Oil price drop could trigger output cuts; CBK new regulations to boost lending


Oil prices down on receding supply shortage fears, weaker demand outlook


Global markets suffer October sell-off; US growth remains strong in Q3


Equity markets rally after US mid-terms; Brent crude falls to $70 weighed by oversupply concerns


Kuwait: Third quarter real estate sales maintain positive momentum


Mixed data but overall softer, with growth slower than expected in 3Q18


Bahrain: GCC pledges $10bn in financial support as kingdom unveils fiscal reforms


Global stocks end dismal October on a high note; crude prices drop as US softens Iran sanctions position


Kuwait: Higher oil prices to leave budget close to balance this year


US markets outperform in Q3, EM concerns worsen while FTSE upgrades Kuwait


US growth remained buoyant in Q3; ECB to wind down QE program by end-year


Unemployment rate at 49-year low, fourth rate hike expected in December


Kuwait: Project awards were soft in 3Q18, but expected to pick-up in coming quarters


US rate outlook, European politics weigh on markets; Gulf economies improve competitiveness rankings


Oil sector boosted by rising prices and production; CBK maintains key lending rate


Equities fall as investors digest prospect of higher interest rates; Brent crude dips to $80


Optimism and employment growth continue to support consumer spending


Fed hikes rates amid robust economic data; Eurozone export sector weakens


Egypt Faces higher borrowing costs amid emerging market pressures


Strong US data triggers bond market sell-off; Brent crude hits near four-year high of $86


Fed hikes rates for eighth time in three years; Brent crude surges past $80 mark


Oil price and production forecasts revised up; credit growth rose in July


Business activity at 2018-high in August; fiscal deficit narrows on higher oil and non-oil revenues


Stocks rally on relief over trade war measures; Brent crude climbs above $80 as Trump calls for OPEC action


Strong growth points to two further Fed rate hikes in 2018


Kuwait: Consumer spending slows in August, weighed by seasonal factors



US to proceed with China tariffs; Turkey raises rates to 24%; oil prices firm up on Iran supply concerns


Trade war concerns persist; emerging market currencies see large sell-off


US threatens further China tariffs; pressures on emerging market currencies are slightly lower


Trade frictions continue to dominate the agenda; EM currencies see further turbulence


US-China trade dispute: China’s options and potential impact on the GCC region


Kuwait: Summer lull weighs on consumer spending in July


Inflation eased further to just 0.5% at the end of Q2


Powell reaffirms Fed’s gradual approach to rate hikes; crude prices surge on US inventory draw


Kuwait: Credit growth soft in Q2, but picked up in June


15-8-2018: Current account surplus highest in three years thanks to stronger oil prices


Plunge in Turkish lira triggers flows into US dollar; oil prices edge down on trade war concerns


US growth powers ahead, but trade war with China intensifies


Oil production starts to climb; budget deficit narrowed to 9% of GDP last year


Fed leaves rates on hold but seen hiking next month; crude prices ease as OPEC production rises


Kuwait: Second quarter real estate sales highest in three years

