Get EnterpriseAM daily

Net foreign assets hold steady in June

1

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

THIS MORNING: Another hike from Opec+

Good morning. Today’s issue is a mixed bag of good and not-so-good news. The banking sector is staying healthy, according to Sama’s latest monthly bulletin, while real estate prices are finally cooling down in 2Q with the residential sector logging very modest increases and Riyadh seeing the lowest y-o-y rate since 2022 started.

The not-so-good news: Tadawul has lagged behind regional and global markets in July, and Sabic posted its third quarterly loss in a row against analyst expectations. Let’s dive in.


WEATHER- It’s both hot and windy in the Kingdom today, with Riyadh expected to see a high of 44°C and a low of 31°C, while Jeddah’s mercury will go as high as 40°C and as low as 31°C. Makkah will see a 42°C high and 32°C low.

HAPPENING TOMORROW-

#1- Aramco is expected to publish its 1H 2025 earnings tomorrow, according to the company’s website. The oil giant is forecasted to post SAR 92.8 bn in net income for the quarter, down from SAR 106.2 bn recorded in the same period last year, according to Argaam.

REFRESHER- The company posted a 4.6% y-o-y drop in net income to SAR 97.5 bn (USD 26 bn) in 1Q 2025, exceeding analyst estimates by some SAR 3.4 bn amid weaker oil prices caused by global economic uncertainty.


#2- The Fiba AsiaCup 2025 is set to kick off tomorrow and run through Sunday, 17 August in Jeddah. The tournament will bring together 16 national teams from across the Asia-Oceania region to compete for the title of continental champion.The opening game will see New Zealand compete against Iraq.

OIL WATCH-

Another hike: Opec+ has approved an oil production increase of 547k barrels per day for September, concluding a phase of its supply restoration strategy one year ahead of schedule, according to a press release. The hike completes a gradual reverse of the bloc’s 2.2 mn bpd cut instituted in 2023, bringing Saudi Arabia’s quota to 9.75 mn bbl/d.

The unwinding started back in April, when eight of Opec+’s producers agreed to hike production by 411k barrels a day, citing “continuing healthy market fundamentals and the positive market outlook” as the reasoning behind its decision.

A lot to gain: Opec+ will likely benefit from its decision to prioritize market share over price stability, despite initial economic strain. Members are hoping to claw back market share ceded to US shale and other competitors, as oil supply growth from non-Opec producers is expected to slow by over 80% through 2027.

More in the bag: The group is still holding onto some 1.65 mn bbl/d per day from eight member countries, and an additional 2 mn bbl/d reduction across the entire alliance, Reuters reports. Both measures are scheduled to expire by the close of 2026.

Market reax: Oil prices slipped on the news, with Brent Crude futures falling to USD 69.24. Prices could drop to around USD 60 per barrel by year-end due to a market surplus, Bloomberg reports, citing estimates by JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs. This could force Opec+ to reverse production hikes and resume output cuts to ease price pressure, energy consultancy FGE said.

What’s next? The cartel meets next on 7 September to discuss its policy for October.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

New subscription fee guidelines for shared property owners in the Kingdom: The Real Estate General Authority has set guidelines for owners’ associations in shared properties, Asharq Business reports. The authority introduced an annual fee per unit capped at 7% of market value for units under SAR 300k, and 3% for those above.

The fee will cover management, maintenance, utilities, and salaries. Associations can also receive funding from donations, endowments, special collections, and returns on common facilities.

The guideline joins a battery of reforms pushed recently to stimulate the real estate market. The changes allowed non-Saudis to own property and foreign investment in Makkah- and Madinah-based real estate companies, lifted development restrictions on 81 sq km of land in northern Riyadh, and saw amendments to the White Land Tax law, in addition to planning the release of 10k-40k affordable residential plots per year.

DATA POINTS-

Over 54k Saudi families benefited from the Kingdom’s subsidized housing programs during 1H 2025, the Municipalities and Housing Ministry said in a statement yesterday. More than 48k families settled into their new residences over this period.

The breakdown: The Subsidized Real Estate Financing program for low-income individuals concluded over 27k financing transactions, exceeding its 1H aim by 63%. Nearly 3.8k families receiving social security benefits were assisted through different developmental housing initiatives. The beneficiary satisfaction rate reached 90%, surpassing the annual target of 80%.

***You’re reading EnterpriseAM Saudi, your essential daily roundup of business, economics, and must-read news about Saudi, delivered straight to your inbox. We’re out Sunday through Thursday by 7am Riyadh time.

EnterpriseAM Saudi is available without charge thanks to the generous support of our friends at Tas’heel and Hassan Allam Properties.

Want to send us a story idea, request coverage, ask for a correction, or otherwise get in touch? Reach out to us on saudi@enterpriseAM.com.

DID YOU KNOW that we also cover Egypt, the UAE, and the MENA logistics industry?

Were you forwarded this email? Tap or click here to get your own copy of EnterpriseAM Saudi delivered every weekday.***

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

It’s a (very) calm morning in the international press, dominated by concerns over Trump’s erratic response to jobs data, and what comes next in the Gaza war.

Defending Trump: National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the president’s firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner Erika McEntarfer is justified after the BLS made “extreme” downward revisions to job report data from May and June. Trump “wants his own people there” to make the data “more transparent and more reliable,” Hasset added.

Are revisions uncommon? US job data have been known to undergo revisions later, as some businesses do not file data before the reporting deadline, making the estimate more precise as time goes by.

OVER IN GAZA- The US and Israel appear to be shifting their approach towards an “all ornothing” agreement to end the war in Gaza, US envoy Steve Witkoff signaled in a meeting with families of Israeli captives on Friday. While Witkoff stopped short on providing more details, the shift could be motivated by mounting international pressure over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for recognizing a Palestinian state.

Israel has been trying to secure a partial agreement for months, but Hamas insists on a comprehensive agreement that answers next-day questions, including governance in the enclave and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Arab states — along with the EU and 17 more countries — have called on the militant group last week to disarm and relinquish power to the Palestinian Authority “in the context of ending the war.”

In the third issue of our Destination Sahel series, we’re taking a look at how Sahel could become a year-round destination, the architecture underpinning new developments, and the impact of coastal cities on our shores.

Look for Destination Sahel, Issue III, in your inbox this Wednesday, 6 August.

Missed the first two issues? Tap or click here to read the full series.

This publication is proudly sponsored by

Easier life with Tasheel
From OUR FAMILY to YOURS
2

BANKING

Net foreign assets hold steady at SAR 1.5 tn surplus in June

Net foreign assets in the Kingdom’s banking sector showed almost no change in June, holding steady at a surplus of around SAR 1.5 tn by the end of the month, according to the Saudi Central Bank’s (Sama) latest monthly statistical bulletin (pdf).

The breakdown: Sama’s net foreign assets ended June with a surplus of SAR 1.62 tn, a slight decrease from May’s SAR 1.63 tn. Meanwhile, commercial markets saw a mild improvement in their net foreign assets, recording a deficit of around SAR 123 bn by the end of the month, a reduction from SAR 129.9 bn deficit reported a month before.

The total assets of commercial banks grew to SAR 4.8 tn by the end of June, a 14.1% y-o-y increase from SAR 4.2 tn in the same month last year. Bank credit across all segments also increased 15.8% y-o-y to nearly SAR 3.19 tn by the end of the month.

Personal loans once again accounted for the majority of all credit, coming at nearly SAR 1.4 tn, followed by corporate credit to real estate activities with SAR 383.9 bn, wholesale and retail trade at SAR 213 bn, and electricity, gas and water supplies at some SAR 199.3 bn

Residential mortgages financed by banks reached SAR 5.3 bn during the same period, slightly up 0.2% y-o-y, with a total of 7.4k contracts. This includes around SAR 3.3 bn for houses, about SAR 1.6 bn for apartments, and SAR 482 mn for land contracts.

Settled letters of credit financing private sector imports received increased 9.9% y-o-y to hit SAR 15.2 bn by the end of June. SAR 2.6 bn went to motor vehicles, while SAR 2.4 bn was allocated to building materials, SAR 1.3 bn for food items, SAR 928 mn for machinery, and SAR 295 mn for appliances. The second quarter saw a total of SAR 45.6 bn.

New letters of credit — an indicator for future imports — also rose 28.92% y-o-y to some SAR 14.4 bn in June. This includes SAR 3.6 bn for motor vehicles, SAR 1.7 bn for building materials, SAR 857 mn for food items, SAR 519 mn for machinery, and SAR 166 mn for appliances. The figure brings 2Q’s total to SAR 41.3 bn.

ALSO- Broad money supply (M3) continued to increase, growing 7.63% y-o-y during the month to SAR 3.12 tn. Demand deposits (47.93%) topped the list of currency supply components, followed by time and savings deposits (35.25%), other quasi-cash deposits (8.99%), and banknotes in circulation outside banks (7.83%). Meanwhile, total liabilities surpassed SAR 5.4 tn, recording a 6.6% y-o-y increase.

M3 is the broadest measure of money supply in a given economy. It includes banknotes, current accounts, and other money that can be quickly mobilized (what econ-nerds call M2) as well as large time deposits, institutional money market funds, short-term repurchase agreements, and larger liquid funds.

AND- Gov’t bonds maintain an upward trajectory: Government bonds increased for the 12th consecutive month to SAR 636.3 bn, up 2.15% m-o-m and 14.4% y-o-y. Meanwhile, bank credit to public institutions increased 42.63% y-o-y to SAR 226.8 bn.

3

IPO WATCH

Marketing Home Group sets IPO price range at SAR 80-85 a pop

Marketing Home Group (MHG) set the indicative price range for its Tadawul IPO at SAR 80-85 per share, kicking off the book-building process for institutional investors, according to a disclosure. The offering will see the company sell a 30% stake, equivalent to 4.8 mn shares, in a secondary sale.

Proceeds + market cap: At the top end of the price range, the IPO would raise SAR 408 mn, giving the company an implied market capitalization of SAR 1.36 bn at listing, according to our calculations.

Institutional investors have until Thursday, 7 August, to book a minimum of 50k shares and a maximum of roughly 800k shares each. Meanwhile, retail subscription is scheduled for 19-20 August, with investors able to request 10-250k shares each, and final allocations are due on 24 August. The IPO will initially be fully allocated to institutional investors, including 30% reserved for public funds, with a 20% clawback for retail investors if there is sufficient demand.

ADVISORS- Alinma Capital is quarterbacking the transaction as financial advisor, lead manager, bookrunner and underwriter, with Stat Law Firm providing counsel. PwC Public Accountants is acting as financial due diligence advisor, while Euromonitor International is serving as market consultant.

Receiving agents include our friends at EFG Hermes KSA, Alrajhi Capital, SNB Capital, Saudi Fransi Capital, Riyad Capital, AlBilad Investment, AlJazira Capital, Derayah Financial, ANB Capital, Yaqeen Capital, and Al Khabeer Capital, among others.

ALSO IN THE PIPELINE-

4

REAL ESTATE

Real estate prices up 3.2% y-o-y in 2Q 2025

The real estate price price index saw a 3.2% y-o-y increase in 2Q 2025, subdued by slow growth in the residential sector which offset big increases in commercial real estate prices, according to fresh data (pdf) from Gastat.

The breakdown: Residential real estate saw a modest 0.4% y-o-y increase in the second quarter, with land prices up 0.2%, villa prices increasing 3.2%, and floor prices up by 1.5%, while apartment prices decreased 0.7%.

Commercial real estate went the other way, logging an 11.7% y-o-y increase. Commercial land prices were up 12.6%, while buildings rose by 2.7%, and shop and gallery prices inched up 4.1%.

Riyadh is finally cooling off: Prices in the region inched up 3.6% y-o-y, the lowest growth level since 1Q 2022, down significantly from 10.7% in the first quarter of 2025. Tabuk led the regions with a 4.7% price increase, while the Eastern Province saw an annual growth of 4.2%. In contrast, prices fell by 3.2% in Madinah and by 3.9% in Aseer.

Reforms already paying off? The government recently introduced a battery of reforms to stimulate the real estate market. The changes allowed non-Saudis to own property and foreign investment in Makkah- and Madinah-based real estate companies, lifted development restrictions on 81 sq km of land in northern Riyadh, and saw amendments to the White Land Tax law, in addition to planning the release of 10k-40k affordable residential plots per year.

5

CAPITAL MARKETS

Tadawul lags behind MENA markets in July amid tepid trading, soft listings

Tadawul extends its slump in July: TASI slipped 2.2% last month to close at 10.9k points, after swinging between a high of 11.4k and a low of 10.8k, according to market data. Total market cap of the benchmark index reached SAR 9 tn by the end of July, with SAR 107.6 bn in value traded across 8.6 bn securities and 11 mn trades.

The lackluster performance contrasts sharply with regional peers: Egypt’s EGX30 and Abu Dhabi’s ADX each gained 4.1%, while Dubai’s DFM surged 7.9%. Global equities also fared better, with the S&P 500 up 2.2%, FTSE 100 climbing 4.2%, and Euro Stoxx 50 edging 0.3% higher in July.

What the pundits see: Tadawul extended its slide last week, losing 0.23% to notch a third consecutive weekly decline and hover near a two‑month low, Sarah Alyasiri, financial market strategist at CFI Financial Group, told EnterpriseAM Saudi. Early gains fueled by steady oil prices and solid earnings faded as weaker global trade and renewed US tariffs weighed on sentiment, prompting investors to turn more cautious on the outlook for profits and economic momentum, Alyasiri said.

The 10.4k level remains a key support point, historically a zone where rebounds have occurred. If the index breaks below this level, it may signal that investors are starting to price in deeper global risks, she added.

What’s pushing the index down? Tadawul struggled this year as falling oil prices, surging sovereign debt sales, and a series of underwhelming IPOs have sapped investor appetite, according to analysts cited by the Financial Times. Tight domestic liquidity left the banks heavily exposed to government borrowing, igniting fears that the kingdom could scale back its ambitious diversification spending if crude stays weak.

New listings have also failed to replicate the blockbuster debuts of 2023-2024, while project awards have tumbled and foreign investors remain wary of the market’s heavy tilt toward oil, banks, and petrochemicals. The combination has dragged trading volumes lower and left Tadawul among the worst-performing exchanges globally in 2025, the salmon-colored paper reported.

Top gainers: Sports Club was top of the list, gaining 50%, followed by SHL at 38.4%, and Cenomi retail at 17%. The most active by value was Aramco at SAR 6 bn, followed by Alrajhi at SAR 5.3 bn and Cenomi Retail at SAR 4.1 bn.

The laggards: Walaa’s share price lost the most value shedding 20.3%, followed by Sasco at 18.2% and Gulf General at 16.3%.

Top sectors: The banking sector accounted for the lion’s share in terms of value traded at 15.6% of total trades, followed by materials at 13.6% and consumer services at 10.3%.

6

EARNINGS WATCH

Sabic logs third quarterly loss in a row + a flurry of 2Q earnings

SABIC-

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (Sabic) reported its third consecutive quarterly net loss, posting a loss of SAR 4.1 bn for 2Q 2025 and reversing a net income of SAR 2.2 bn in the same quarter a year earlier, the chemicals giant said in an earnings release (pdf) yesterday. The results came short of analysts’ expectations of a net income of SAR 1.1 bn from Bloomberg and SAR 504 mn from LSEG data reported by Reuters.

The drivers: The unexpected loss was driven by a SAR 3.8 bn impairment from a UK cracker closure, a SAR 1 bn loss from impairment charges of one of its European associates, a SAR 517 mn rise in finance costs, and a SAR 284 mn Zakat expense, which reversed last year’s SAR 545 mn benefit.

Revenue inched down 0.4% y-o-y during the quarter to SAR 35.6 bn, buoyed by higher sales volume and SAR 863 mn in licensing and engineering revenue, despite lower average selling prices.

The macro currents didn’t help: Sabic faced significant margin pressure due to persistent oversupply and weak demand in its key chemical segments which has kept operating rates below historical averages, CEO Abdulrahman Al Fageeh said.

Over the first half of the year, Sabic reported a net loss of SAR 5.3 bn, down from a net income of SAR 2.4 bn over the same period last year. However, revenue inched up 2.6% y-o-y to SAR 70.2 bn.

REMEMBER- In 1Q, the company had launched a transformation program to add USD 3 bn in annual value by 2030 through cost-cutting and restructuring amid a broad review of its business. Key initiatives include closing its UK cracker unit, evaluating a potential IPO for its National Industrial Gases (Gas) subsidiary, and maintaining its annual capital expenditure plan of USD 3-3.5 bn.

Looking ahead, the market is expected to stabilize in 3Q 2025 on the back of a stable demand in most sectors with improvements in electronics, personal care, and healthcare, Al Fageeh said in a press conference yesterday (watch, runtime: 24:49). However, Bloomberg analysts anticipate ongoing margin pressure from oversupply, though this may be partially offset by Sabic’s diversified portfolio and fixed-cost structure.

In the interim, Sabic’s projects are advancing, with the Petrokemya project beginning trials in 3Q 2025 and the Fujian plant set to launch trial operations in 2H 2026. The company has also launched 58 new products this year and now uses AI tools in 42% of its manufacturing facilities.

ALSO- Sabic’s board greenlit a SAR 4.5 bn dividend payout for 1H 2025 at SAR 1.5 a piece, it said in a separate disclosure. The distribution date is set for 9 September.

RIYADH CABLES-

RiyadhCables Group’s net income soared 75.3% y-o-y to SAR 279.4 mn in 2Q 2025, primarily due to a sales revenue surge, the company said in a Tadawul disclosure yesterday. Meanwhile, revenue widened 32.7% y-o-y to SAR 2.7 bn on the back of an increase in the volume of quantities sold.

On a 1H basis, the group’s bottom line jumped 63.1% y-o-y to SAR 535.6 mn, while its top line increased 27.6% y-o-y to SAR 5.2 bn.

LUBEREF-

SaudiAramco Base OilCompany (Luberef) saw its net income drop 18% y-o-y to SAR 245.2 mn in 2Q 2025, weighed down by weaker base oil sales volumes and lower by-products crack margins, despite an increase in base oil crack margins, it said in a disclosure to Tadawul yesterday. Similarly, revenue slipped 17.6% y-o-y to SAR 2.2 bn over the same period on the back of reduced prices for base oil and by-products.

On a 1H basis, the company’s bottom line fell 13.2% y-o-y to SAR 466.7 mn, while its top line was down 10.9% y-o-y to SAR 4.4 bn.

Dividends: Luberef’s board approved a SAR 168.3 mn dividend distribution for 1H 2025 at SAR 1 per share, it said in a separate filing. The distribution date is set for 15 October.

BAHRI-

TheNational Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) saw its net income dip 44.4% y-o-y to SAR 407.5 mn in 2Q 2025, it said in a disclosure to Tadawul yesterday. The figure was pulled down by weaker performances by Bahri Chemicals and Bahri Integrated Logistics due to lower global shipping rates, lower other income, higher finance costs, and G&A expenses compared to the same quarter last year.

MEANWHILE- Revenue slid 9.3% y-o-y to SAR 2.5 bn, primarily due to a decline in global shipping rates across Bahri Chemicals and Bahri Oil.

On a 1H basis, the company’s bottom line fell 20.7% y-o-y to SAR 940.3 mn, while its top line decreased 7.9% y-o-y to SAR 4.6 bn.

SAUDI CHEMICAL CO.-

SaudiChemical Company Holding’s net income went down 4.5% y-o-y to SAR 69.5 mn in 2Q 2025, weighed down by an increase in selling expenses, expected credit loss on trade receivables, and finance costs, it said in a Tadawul disclosure yesterday. Meanwhile, revenue grew by 9.3% y-o-y to SAR 1.8 bn, thanks to a sales volume increase.

On a 1H basis, the company’s bottom line slipped 7.6% y-o-y to SAR 151.7 mn, while its top line inched up 4.6% y-o-y to SAR 3.4 bn.

DAR ALARKAN-

DarAlarkan Real Estate Development saw its net income climb 44.5% y-o-y to SAR 238.6 mn in 2Q 2025, driven by an increase in lease revenue, lower finance costs, and gains from Islamic murabaha deposits, it said in a disclosure to Tadawul yesterday. Revenue declined by 11.4% y-o-y to SAR 852.1 mn, pulled down by lower property sales.

On a 1H basis, the company’s bottom line increased 40.5% y-o-y up to SAR 448 mn, while its top line inched down 2.3% y-o-y to SAR 1.8 bn.

UMM AL QURA FOR DEVELOPMENT-

UmmAlQura for Development and Construction’s net income rose 26.3% y-o-y to SAR 236.7 mn in 2Q 2025, driven by higher revenues from land sales, the company said in a disclosure to Tadawul yesterday. Revenue fell by 16.1% y-o-y to SAR 669.2 mn.

On a 1H basis, the company’s bottom line surged 106.3% y-o-y to SAR 396.3 mn, while its top line jumped 53.9% y-o-y to SAR 1.2 bn.

ICYMI- Masar Destination plots have been flying off the shelves: Umm Al Qura sold five land plots in Makkah’s Masar Destination in late July for over SAR 1.6 bn to Saqeefat Al Asima, an affiliate of Mohammad Abdul Aziz Al Habib and Partners Real Estate Company. Since mid-June, the company sold a combined 13k sqm of land for over SAR 891 mn across four separate transactions.

ALMOOSA HEALTH-

AlmoosaHealth Group returned to the black with a net income of SAR 51.8 mn in 2Q 2025, compared to SAR 1.3 mn in net loss during the same period last year, it said in a Tadawul disclosure yesterday. The company attributed the turnaround to higher revenues from increased patient volumes, improved operational efficiency, and lower finance expenses following a loan settlement in 1Q.

MEANWHILE- Revenue grew by 22.6% y-o-y to SAR 349 mn, driven by higher inpatient and outpatient volumes and the expansion of specialty service offerings.

On a 1H basis, the company reported some SAR 103 mn in net income, a substantial increase from SAR 12.5 mn over the same period last year. Revenue rose 19.6% y-o-y to about SAR 672 mn.

Dividends: The healthcare provider’s board greenlit the distribution of SAR 15.5 mn in cash dividends for 2Q 2025 at SAR 0.35 per share, starting Wednesday, 20 August, according to a separate disclosure to Tadawul.

TASNEE-

National Industrialization Company’s (Tasnee) net income dipped into the red in 2Q 2025, recording a SAR 65.8 mn net loss, compared to SAR 52.8 mn in net income over the same quarter last year, it said in a disclosure to Tadawul yesterday. Meanwhile, revenue went down 19.7% y-o-y to SAR 808.9 mn in the same period.

On a 1H basis, the company’s net income rebounded from a net loss of SAR 19.2 mn in 1H 2024, posting a net income of SAR 830 mn in 1H this year. Revenue slipped 5.5% y-o-y to SAR 1.7 bn over the same period.

Looking ahead, the year is shaping up to be a challenging one thanks to ongoing uncertainty in global markets, Tasnee’s CEO Fawaz Al Fawaz told Al Arabiya yesterday, adding that losses could continue into the second half of the year if conditions remain unchanged.

7

ALSO ON OUR RADAR

AI startup Deep.SA raises SAR 4.5 mn in pre-seed round

STARTUP WATCH-

Homegrown artificial intelligence startup Deep.SA closed a SAR 4.5 mn pre-seed investment round led by Tam Development and Raed Ventures, it said on LinkedIn yesterday.

Use of proceeds: Via its partnership with Tam, the Deep.SA will develop AI solutions to reduce spending and increase efficiency for government entities, while its collaboration with Raed Ventures will support its technological development for both local and global markets.

About Deep.SA: Deep.SA focuses on developing AI products, search engines, and agents for clients in both the public and private sectors. Deep.SA’s first product, alPlatformai, aims to provide organizations with secure and controlled access to AI models designed for high-security environments.

(** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background and outside sources.)

EDUCATION-

Classera signs agreements to drive Syria’s digital transformation in education and healthcare, according to a press release. The agreements include deploying e-learning platforms for remote access, launching digital academies to equip youth with skills, building national capabilities in education technology, and enhancing healthcare workforce training through unified digital platforms.

REMEMBER- Classera was one of many telecom and IT Saudi companies tapped for a combined SAR 3.6 bn to develop Syria’s digital infrastructure at last month’s Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum held in Damascus.

8

PLANET FINANCE

Big Tech and big banks drive US earnings in 2Q 2025, but others aren’t faring so well

The US economy is showing signs of a growing gap, with major tech firms and big banks thriving while many other businesses are struggling with higher costs and new tariffs, the Financial Times reports. Second quarter earnings from companies like Apple, Meta, Microsoft, JP Morgan, and Goldman Sachs have exceeded expectations, reinforcing President Trump’s assertion that the American economy is booming, but that can’t be said for all companies. These companies, especially those in tech and finance, are driving a disproportionate share of S&P 500 earnings, as the top ten stocks now account for one-third of total earnings — with tech leading the way with 41% y-o-y earnings growth and finance following with a 12.8% y-o-y increase.

Tech giants, including Microsoft and Meta, both beat expectations, with profits up 25% and 36%, respectively, due in part to strong spending on artificial intelligence. “It’s been another solid earnings season, with bulls focused on their growing artificial intelligence capex spending,” AlphaCore’s David Stubbs said.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

But, the rest of corporate America is telling a different story. Many companies in the consumer staples and materials sectors are seeing declines, with earnings down y-o-y. Over half of S&P 500 firms that have reported 2Q earnings so far have seen their margins shrink. While sales are rising, increased costs — partly due to tariffs — are affecting earnings as many firms have not yet passed those costs on to consumers.

The effects of Trump’s tariff policy are becoming more visible, especially in sectors tied to manufacturing and consumer durables. Automakers, airlines, and home appliance producers reported some of the steepest downward revisions to their full year net income guidance. Ford, for example, posted a surprise loss partly due to a USD 800 mn tariff-related expense. Meanwhile, companies missing earnings expectations saw their share prices drop an average of 5.6% in the four days around their earnings announcements, which is more than double the five-year average.

The economic data is also showing signs of a slowing momentum. Job growth slowed significantly, with only 106k jobs added between May and July, compared to 380k in the previous three months. GDP grew at an annualized rate of 1.1% in 1H 2025, down from 2.9% in 2H 2024. Despite this, the Federal Reserve held rates steady last week at 4.25-4.5%, resisting Trump’s pressure for cuts amid what he claims is an economy resilient to his trade war.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are mostly in the green in early trading this morning with South Korea’s Kospi leading gains, rising 0.5%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and the Shanghai Composite are looking at more moderate gains of 0.2%, meanwhile Japan’s Nikkei is down 1.9%.

TASI

10,833

-0.8% (YTD: -10.0%)

MSCI Tadawul 30

1,399

-0.8% (YTD: -7.3%)

NomuC

26,756

-0.6% (YTD: -15.0%)

USD : SAR (SAMA)

USD 3.75 Sell

USD 3.75 Buy

Interest rates

5.0% repo

4.5% reverse repo

EGX30

3,511

+0.4% (YTD: +13.8%)

ADX

10,317

-0.5% (YTD: +9.5%)

DFM

6,112

-0.8% (YTD: +18.5%)

S&P 500

6,238

-1.6% (YTD: +6.1%)

FTSE 100

9,069

-0.7% (YTD: +11.0%)

Euro Stoxx 50

5,166

-2.9% (YTD: +5.5%)

Brent crude

USD 69.25

-0.6%

Natural gas (Nymex)

USD 3.05

-1.1%

Gold

USD 3,410

+0.3%

BTC

USD 114,262

+1.2% (YTD: +22.0%)

Sukuk/bond market index

913.38

+0.1% (YTD: +1.3%)

S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk

147.17

+0.2% (YTD: +5.2%)

VIX (Volatility Index)

20.38

+21.9% (YTD: +17.5%)

THE CLOSING BELL: TADAWUL-

The TASI fell 0.8% yesterday on turnover of SAR 3.4 bn. The index is down 10% YTD.

In the green: Sport Clubs (+10.0%), Thimar (+6.7%) and Nama Chemicals (+5.7%).

In the red: Luberef (-10.0%), Jabal Omar (-5.4%) and Dar Alarkan (-4.4%).

THE CLOSING BELL: NOMU-

The NomuC fell 0.6% yesterday on turnover of SAR 18.7 mn. The index is down 15% YTD.

In the green: Horizon Food (+9.8%), Smile Care (+3.8%) and Knowledge Tower (+3.5%).

In the red: SPC (-8.7%), Asas Makeen (-8.4%) and Fadeco (-6.9%).

CORPORATE ACTIONS-

SumouReal Estate will distribute SAR 25 mn in cash dividends for 1H 2025 at SAR 0.5 per share, it said in a Tadawul disclosure yesterday. The distribution date is set for 14 October.

MultiBusiness Group’s board greenlit the distribution of SAR 900k in cash dividends for 1H 2025 at SAR 0.06 per share, starting Thursday 21 August, it said in a disclosure to Tadawul yesterday.


AUGUST

8 July-24 August (Monday-Sunday): Esports World Cup, Riyadh.

5 August (Tuesday): Saudi Aramco to publish 2Q 2025 earnings.

5-17 August (Tuesday-Sunday): 2025 Fiba Asia Cup, Jeddah.

7 July-24 August (Monday-Sunday): Esports World Cup, Riyadh.

10 July (Sunday): Deadline for businesses subject to withholding tax to file their June tax returns via Zatca’s website.

11-12 August (Monday-Tuesday): Monsha’at’s Jadeer Tour in Khobar, SME Support Center, Khobar.

31 July (Sunday): Deadline for businesses subject to VAT to file their July tax returns.

3Q 2025

The National Water Company is expected to award a construction contract for the Hail Region Water Networks project.

SEPTEMBER

3-4 September (Wednesday-Thursday): Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference (SMIC), Ritz-Cartlon, Jeddah.

9-11 September (Tuesday-Thursday): International Beauty Expo 2025, Jeddah Superdome.

9-11 September (Tuesday-Thursday): Seredo Real Estate Development and Ownership Exhibition, Jeddah Superdome,

15-17 September (Monday-Wednesday): Money 20/20 Middle East, Riyadh.

17-18 September (Wednesday-Thursday): US Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meeting and Summary of Economic Projections.

23 September (Tuesday): Saudi National Day.

OCTOBER

1 October (Wednesday): Electronic salary transfer via the Musaned platform to include employers with two or more domestic workers.

1-3 October (Wednesday-Friday): Saudi Green Building Forum, Riyadh.

1-3 October (Wednesday-Friday): FIBO Arabia 2025, Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

7-8 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): Global EV & Mobility Technology (GEMTECH) Forum, Riyadh.

15 October (Wednesday): Russian-Arab Summit.

17 October (Friday): Saudization for private healthcare roles enters its second phase.

22-23 October (Wednesday-Thursday): Private Capital Forum, Riyadh.

24 October-1 November (Friday-Saturday): AlUla Wellness Festival.

26-27 October (Sunday-Monday): The Global Proptech Summit 2025, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh.

27-30 October (Monday-Thursday): Global Health Exhibition, Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, Riyadh.

28-30 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Future Investment Initiative (FII9), King Abdulaziz International Conference Center (KAICC) and the Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh.

28-29 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meeting.

NOVEMBER

2 November (Sunday): Naming ASICS Innovation Pitch competition’s six finalists.

3-9 November (Monday- Sunday): WTA Tour Finals, Riyadh.

8-9 November (Saturday-Sunday): Del Monte Superleague Supercup, Jeddah.

11-13 November (Tuesday-Thursday): TouriseSummit, Riyadh.

17-20 November (Monday-Thursday): Cityscape Global, Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Riyadh.

22 November (Saturday): The Ring IV, ANB arena, Riyadh.

23-26 November (Sunday-Wednesday): Saudi Food Exhibition and Conference, Riyadh.

24-26 November (Monday-Wednesday): The World Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics Saudi Expo, Riyadh.

24-26 November (Monday-Wednesday): Metropolis Madinah Conference for civilizational capitals, King Salman International Convention Centre (KSICC), Al Madinah.

27-30 November (Thursday-Sunday): World Rally Championship Saudi Arabia 2025, Jeddah.

28-30 November (Friday-Sunday): UIM F1H2O World Championship, Jeddah.

30 November (Sunday): Zatca 21st E-invoicing integration wave deadline.

DECEMBER

1-4 December (Monday-Thursday): International Conference on Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies, Riyadh.

1-4 December (Monday-Thursday): 61st ISOCARP World Planning Congress, Riyadh.

7-9 December (Sunday-Tuesday): CoMotion Global 2025, Riyadh.

9-10 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): Federal Open Market Committee meeting and Summary of Economic Projections.

25-27 December (Saturday-Monday): The Fortune Global Forum 2025, Riyadh.

31 December (Wednesday): Zatca 22nd E-invoicing integration wave deadline.

31 December (Wednesday): Cancellation of Fines and Exemption of Financial Penalties Initiative by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (Zatca) deadline.

December: Made in Saudi exhibition, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh

2026

JANUARY

1 January (Thursday): Electronic salary transfer via the Musaned platform becomes mandatory for all domestic workers in the Kingdom.

13-15 January (Tuesday-Thursday): Future Minerals Forum, King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center, Riyadh.

20 January (Tuesday): SuperReturn Saudi Arabia, Hotel Fairmont, Riyadh.

18-21 January (Sunday-Wednesday): Saudi Hospital Design and Build Expo, Riyadh.

26-27 (Monday-Tuesday): GPRC Summit, Riyadh.

26-28 (Monday-Wednesday): Saudi Franchise Expo (SFE), Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Riyadh.

26-28 (Monday-Wednesday): Real Estate Future Forum, Four Seasons Hotel, Riyadh.

27-28 (Tuesday-Wednesday): SkyMove Air Cargo MENA, Riyadh.

28 (Wednesday): Data Center Nation Riyadh, Riyadh.

28-30 (Wednesday-Friday): Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (JTTX), Jeddah.

FEBRUARY

2-4 (Monday-Wednesday): Saudi Media Forum, Riyadh.

2-4 (Monday-Wednesday): Women Leaders Summit and Awards KSA, Riyadh.

3-4 (Tuesday-Wednesday): RLC Global Forum Annual Meeting, Riyadh.

8-12 February (Sunday-Thursday): World Defense Show, Riyadh.

11 (Wednesday) Digital Transformation Summit Saudi Arabia (DTS), Riyadh.

11-14 (Wednesday-Saturday): JeddaDerm, Jeddah.

13-14 February (Friday-Saturday): Jeddah E-Prix 2026, Jeddah.

MARCH

31 March (Tuesday): Zatca’s 23rd E-invoicing integration wave deadline.

APRIL

27-29 April (Monday-Wednesday): Aluminum Arabia, The Arena, Riyadh.

OCTOBER

26-29 October (Monday-Thursday): World Energy Congress, Riyadh.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2026:

  • UN Trade and Development Global Supply Chain Forum to take place in Saudi Arabia.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2027:

  • The World Water Forum takes place in Riyadh.
  • The Ocean Race finishes in Amaala on the Red Sea.
  • Riyadh-Kudmi transmission line to be completed.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2Q 2027:

  • The Hail Region Water Networks Project is expected to be completed.
Now Playing
Now Playing
00:00
00:00