GULF COUNTRIES
Analyst
Justin Alexander
Former Economic Advisor, Qatar Finance MinistryDatabanks
Recent Country Insights
GULF WEEKLY: Saudi budget, KSA and RAK upgraded, UAE Q2 GDP, Lebanon ceasefire
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 29 Nov 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * The OPEC+ meeting was postponed until Thursday, suggesting differences on tapering cuts. * Trump’s Treasury Secretary pick was well received by markets, but wants to hike oil by 3m b/d. * The Saudi budget sees tax revenue...
SAUDI ARABIA: Moody’s upgrades back to Aa3 and above Kuwait
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 25 Nov 2024
Moody's upgraded Saudi Arabia to Aa3 due to progress in economic diversification and a track record of good fiscal governance. This is its highest rating since 2016 and, for the first time, it is rated more highly than Kuwait, despite much weaker per citizen wealth metrics.
GULF WEEKLY: KSA investment licenses boom, Aramco plans more debt, UAE equity markets surpass $1trn, ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 22 Nov 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Brent crude has recovered to $74 as the market weighs geopolitical risks and Chinese demand. * Trump nominated fracking pioneer Chris Wright as Energy Secretary and met with PIF’s chairman. * KSA issued a record number of...
GULF WEEKLY: Qatar and Kuwait replace sovereign wealth chiefs, Neom replaces CEO, Dubai GDP steady in Q2, Qatar pauses Gaza mediation
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 15 Nov 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * OPEC revised down its oil demand forecasts for a fourth month, but they still look high. * The UK-GCC free trade agreement is reportedly nearing agreement after two years of talks. * Neom replaced its CEO amidst continued...
Webinar replay: GCC 2025 Outlook - Oil, debt, diversification and Trump
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 15 Nov 2024
What are the GCC's views on the outlook for oil and OPEC+'s strategy? What are the trends in economic diversification, including Saudi Vision 2030? How could the regional conflict impact the Gulf states? Will relations with the US change under the next president? Visit our calendar page to watch ...
Slide Presentation - GCC Outlook: Oil, diversification, regional conflicts and US relations
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 13 Nov 2024
Get insight into the GCC's views on the outlook for oil, the trends in economic diversification, how the regional conflict could impact the Gulf states, and how relations with the US could change under the Trump administration with the slide presentation from our webinar, "GCC Outlook: Oil, dive...
GULF WEEKLY: OPEC+ extends cuts, dividends support the Saudi Q3 fiscal balance, Kuwait’s H1 surplus shrinks, PMIs rise across most of the GCC
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 08 Nov 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * 8 OPEC+ members, half in the GCC, delayed tapering voluntary cuts until January. * Most Gulf states mirrored the Fed’s interest rate cut, but Qatar went further, and Kuwait held flat. * Gulf leaders congratulated Trump, i...
Implications of Trump's win for the GCC
GULF COUNTRIES · In Brief · 06 Nov 2024
Back in September, I shared some reflections on the potential implications of the US election for the GCC and wider region, as well as reviewing the history of relations between the Gulf States and the Trump and Biden Administrations. There will be lots more to unpick on this in the coming weeks ...
GULF WEEKLY: Oil dips after Israeli strikes, FII convenes in Riyadh, GCC-NZ FTA signed, Dubai announces budget
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 01 Nov 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Oil dipped after Israeli strikes on Iran did not target oil facilities. * The IMF forecasts fiscal breakeven oil prices for 2025 from $45 for Qatar to $125 for Bahrain. * The GCC signed a rare FTA with New Zealand, a mont...