Inflation holds steady at 2.2% in October

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

THIS MORNING: Crown Prince to land in Washington on Tuesday, with F-35s, gas agreements, and more at stake

Good morning, wonderful people. We’re back in your inbox after what seems to have been an eventful weekend, and ahead of a big week for Saudi that will feature the Crown Prince’s first US visit since 2017.

Leading today’s packed issue: Inflation remained contained in October, holding steady at 2.2%. Meanwhile, the Tourise summit’s third (and final) day saw more projects and investments in Saudi’s bustling tourism sector unveiled. Let’s dive in

HAPPENING TODAY-

The two-day Jeddah Fintech Week kicks off today at Jeddah Hilton. The financial markets education event will feature over 50 workshops on investment strategies, fintech innovations, and risk management, bringing together over 40 experts from 20 countries to share their insights.

HAPPENING TOMORROW-

Cityscape Global kicks off tomorrow at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center and runs until Thursday, 20 November. Organized by Tahaluf, the event will feature urban and investment projects, real estate firms from 120 countries, and discussions on real estate technologies, investment, and financing. Last year’s edition concluded with SAR 230 bn in real estate agreements, including multi-bn-SAR investments by PIF-backed Roshn, the National Housing Company, and the Real Estate Development Fund to promote home ownership.

PSAs-

#1- Title deed registration for 142.8k properties across 104 neighborhoods in Hail will begin on Sunday, 23 November and run until Thursday, 26 February 2026, the Real Estate General Authority said in a statement on Thursday. Owners can register online via the Real Estate Registry platform or at service centers.

#2- Today is the last chance to register for the Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon, the Academy said on X. The national competition invites innovators to develop digital solutions for security and government services, with tracks including Absher service innovation, IoT and field technologies, digital identity security, and AI for security prediction. It features a prize pool of up to SAR 1 mn, with additional support of SAR 450k for the top three projects from the National Technology Development Program and MVPLAB. The remote hackathon will run from 23 November to 10 December, with the in-person event running between 11-13 December.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s US trip on Tuesday will reportedly feature the full pomp of a state occasion, the Associated Press reported on Friday, citing an unnamed senior US official. The itinerary includes an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, a Cabinet Room lunch for agreement finalizations, and an East Room dinner hosted by First Lady Melania Trump.

F-35 sale moving forward? Trump is expected to approve the sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to the Kingdom, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing an administration official. The sale has already cleared major hurdles at the Department of of War and is now under review by War Secretary Pete Hegseth ahead of the visit, the Telegraph reports.

The Pentagon is not as keen: A Pentagon report warns that China could gain access to F-35 technology through espionage or its military ties with Riyadh, New York Times reports. China has supported Saudi missile development, raising US security concerns similar to those that stalled a previous UAE F-35 transaction under Biden. Preserving Israel’s regional military edge as the only Mideast country with F-35s is another US concern.

ALSO- Aramco is expected to sign two US liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreements with Woodside Energy and Commonwealth LNG during the visit, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources it says are in the know. The Commonwealth LNG pact would see the oil giant secure up to 2 mn tons per annum (mtpa) from a proposed Louisiana facility, while the Woodside agreement is expected to include a stake in its USD 17.5 bn Louisiana project and an offtake for up to 2 mtpa. Aramco is targeting 20 mtpa of US LNG capacity, with 4.5 mtpa already under development, according to CEO Amin Nasser.

AND- The Trump Organization is in talks to add a Trump-branded property to the Kingdom’s USD 63 bn Diriyah project, with CEO Jerry Inzerillo telling the New York T ime s that an agreement is “just a matter of time.” The comments align with statements from Dar Global, the Trump Organization’s main foreign partner, whose CEO Ziad El Chaar signalled more collaborations with Saudi gigaprojects. Trump-branded projects are already planned in Jeddah and Riyadh.

ICYMI- A US-Saudi Business Council meeting and investment summit is set for Wednesday, 19 November and is likely — though not confirmed — to be attended by the Crown Prince and Trump.

#2- The Public Investment Fund (PIF) reportedly held early-stage talks with Aston Martin chair Lawrence Stroll about potentially taking the luxury carmaker private, the Financial Times reports citing three people in-the-know. The PIF — already the company’s second-largest shareholder with a 17% stake — is reportedly exploring the move as Aston Martin faces deepening losses, rising debt, and repeated net income warnings.

Aston Martin denied the news, officially stating to the salmon-colored paper it is “not in talks with PIF about being taken private,” while the PIF declined to comment.

The potential take-private would add another major automotive bet to the PIF’s growing portfolio. The fund has already invested heavily in US EV-maker Lucid, which supplies EV powertrain technology to Aston Martin, and is developing an automotive manufacturing hub in the Kingdom, including its own EV brand Ceer and a JV with Hyundai in King Abdullah Economic City.

#3- The Saudi stock market is experiencing a “liquidity drought,” with recent trading sessions seeing values fall below SAR 3–4 bn, Naif Al Rajhi Investment’s Hesham Abou Jamee told Al Arabiya on Thursday. Raising foreign ownership limits alone would not revive the market, calling instead for full access to all foreign investors, Abou Jamee argues. However, the proposed move could gradually lift daily liquidity to SAR 7–9 bn.

The government has been rolling out capital market reforms to address the issue: Saudi Arabia is moving to open its main market directly to foreign non-residents under new draft rules. The CMA has also overhauled fund regulations to open the market to foreign funds and fintech distributors while strengthening risk rules, and it is also making it easier for GCC retail investors to invest directly in the main market.

DATA POINTS-

The Kingdom’s research and development (R&D) expenditure rose 30.4% y-o-y in 2024 to SAR 29.5 bn, according to the latest data (pdf) from the General Authority for Statistics. Government bodies accounted for the largest share of funding in 2024 at 53%, followed by the business sector at 41%, with higher education contributing the remaining 6%. Meanwhile, the number of R&D employees increased 14.7% y-o-y last year to 56.6k, while the number of researchers rose 12.8% y-o-y to 41.6k.

OIL WATCH-

Opec kept its global oil demand growth projections unchanged at 1.3 mn bbl / d for 2025 and 1.4 mn bbl / d for 2026, according to its monthly oil report (pdf). Demand in the Middle East is forecast to climb by 108k bbl / d in 2025 to average 9 mn bbl / d, led by higher consumption in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the UAE.

Demand for Opec crude was revised down by 100k bbl / d from last month’s assessment to 42.4 mn bbl / d. For 2026, demand for Opec crude is seen at 43 mn bbl / d, also 100k bbl / d lower than the previous projection. This implies a small surplus of around 20k bbl / d next year, assuming production remains at October levels.

On the supply side, Opec’s output stood at 28.5 mn bbl / d in October, with the UAE pumping some 3.3 mn bbl / d based on direct communication with the organization. Opec’s secondary sources put the UAE at some 3.4 mn bbl / d. The figures line up with a recent Reuters survey that estimated Opec’s October output at 28.43 mn bbl / d.

The IEA tells a slightly different tale: The International Energy Agency (IEA) raised its demand growth forecasts by 80k bbl / d for 2025 and by 70k bbl / d for 2026, with both years remaining under the 800k bbl / d mark, Reuters reports, citing the agency’s latest monthly oil report. Stronger petrochemicals feedstock consumption underpinned IEA’s projection.

On the supply front: The agency now expects world oil supply to climb by 3.1 mn bbl / d in 2025 to an average of 106.3 mn bbl / d, , according to the report. A further 2.5 mn bbl / d is expected to be added in 2026, reaching 108.7 mn bbl / d. Both figures mark an increase of roughly 100k bbl / d from last month’s forecast.

Wider surplus on the horizon: The global oil market could swing to an even larger glut next year, with a potential 4.1 mn bbl / d surplus as output rises while demand softens, IEA projects. That would widen the implied 2026 mismatch between supply and demand by 120k bbl / d from the 3.97 mn bbl / d surplus flagged in the agency’s October report, according to the newswire.

PIF WATCH-

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) cut its US stock holdings to USD 19.4 bn in 3Q 2025, down from USD 23.8 bn in the previous quarter, Argaam reported, citing US Securities and Exchange Commission data. The fund fully divested from nine companies — including Nvidia, Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, Visa, Walmart, Adobe, and Booking — and closed all options positions across 42 firms. Meanwhile, it kept stakes in six companies, including Lucid Group, Uber, Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Allurion Technologies, and Clarivate.

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THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

A broad sell-off took hold of equities on Thursday as concerns around extreme valuations of AI firms and the US Federal Reserve potentially slowing its easing cycle spurred market jitters. Wall Street posted its worst day in a month, with the S&P 500 sinking 1.7% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq falling 2.3%, as heavyweights like Nvidia and Tesla faced steep losses. Even BTC extended its downturn, falling below USD 100k to its lowest level since May. (Wall Street Journal | Bloomberg | Reuters)

** We have more on the possible trajectory of rate cuts in this morning’s Planet Finance, below.

.. and a flurry of trade agreements: The US secured trade frameworks with Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala and Ecuador, as well as a dual agreement with Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Guatemala, El Salvador, and Argentina are down to a 10% tariff rate, while Ecuador, Switzerland (which committed to invest USD 200 bn in the US in the next three years) and Liechtenstein are going to stand at 15%. (Foreign Policy | Semafor)

Exemptions, too: President Trump exempted agricultural imports like coffee, cocoa, tea, beans and some beef products from tariffs, in a bid to soften the political blowback resulting from higher prices in store shelves. (CNBC)

ALSO- Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launched a rocket with a pair of Nasa aircraft heading to Mars, deploying the aircraft 20 minutes later and recovering its booster following its separation from the aircraft in a major milestone for the company, which is competing with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. (Reuters | Bloomberg | AP)

AND A SIGN OF THE TIMES- Three of the songs topping music charts on Spotify this week were generated by AI, with two of them by now-viral AI-generated country artist Breaking Rust. (Guardian)

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido) General Conference will take place from 23 to 27 November at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The five-day event — Unido’s supreme policymaking organ — runs once every two years and defines the organization’s policies, approves its budget and work programs, and elects board members. It will run following the Ministerial Conference for Least Developed Countries on 22 November, creating a joint platform that connects ministers, corporate leaders, investors, and innovators.

Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation holds steady at 2.2% in October

Inflation held steady in October at 2.2%, the same pace as in September, according to the General Authority for Statistics’ (Gastat) consumer price index (pdf).

The stability signals a contained inflation environment in the range of roughly 2–2.5%, with pockets of upward pressure — particularly in rents, ins., and services — offset by declines or stability in other categories, such as furniture, electronics, and household communications equipment, Argaam Investments’ Head of Specialized Research Ahmed Ramzy told EnterpriseAM Saudi.

Food and beverage prices — the heaviest component in the index — jumped 1.5% y-o-y, supported by a 2.5% y-o-y rise in fresh or chilled meat prices. Restaurants and accommodation services prices also climbed 1.1% y-o-y due to a 1.4% y-o-y rise in food and beverage serving services. Global supply-chain and import-cost pressures have been passing through to local retail prices, albeit at a contained pace due to strong competition in the domestic retail market, Ramzy told us.

Rents are still on the rise: Prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels were up 4.5% on the back of a 5.7% increase in rents paid for housing. The category continues to exert upward pressure on inflation as the impact of new rent-stabilization rules in Riyadh — which took effect in late September — caps future rent increases but does not roll back rents to prior levels, Ramzy said, adding that the policy is limited to Riyadh for now.

Ins. and financial services prices also rose 8.2% y-o-y, with ins. services logging a 13.2% increase. The rise reflects broad repricing across ins. products, driven by developments in claims costs, service-provider expenses, and compliance with capital-adequacy and regulatory requirements, all of which pushed risk-pricing in the sector to levels higher than in previous years, Ramzy added.

ALSO- Transport prices climbed 1.6% y-o-y, buoyed by a 7.1% increase in passenger transport prices.

On the decline: Furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance prices fell 0.5% y-o-y, largely due to a 4.3% drop in furniture, furnishings, and carpet prices. Meanwhile, the information and communication category saw a 0.2% drop in prices, thanks to a 6.3% decline in information and communication equipment.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.3% in October, primarily due to a 0.5% increase in the prices of the food and beverages division and a 0.3% increase in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels.

LOOKING AHEAD- Key areas to monitor include the pace at which rental-price growth decelerates following the implementation of rent-stabilization measures in Riyadh, global food-price and import-cost trends, and the evolution of ins. pricing and financial-services costs, Ramzy said. “The interplay of these factors will determine whether inflation remains anchored near 2% or gradually shifts upward in a way that may require more cautious policy responses.”

WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX-

Producer prices rose 2.9% y-o-y in October, up 0.8 percentage points from the previous month, according to Gastat’s wholesale price index (pdf). This was driven by a 5.4% increase in other transportable goods (except metal products, machinery, and equipment), as well as a 4.6% rise in agricultural and fishery products.

Wholesale prices inched up 0.5% m-o-m in October, supported by a 0.8% increase in prices of other transportable goods.

Tourise unveils USD 113 bn in portfolio investments, says Tourism Minister

The Tourise summit drew its curtains on Thursday with a whopping USD 113 bn in portfolio investments, Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb posted on X yesterday. The three day event attracted over 9.9k participants from more than 100 countries, forging more than 80 agreements and MoUs across luxury retail, next-gen hotels, integrated experience-led developments, wellness, lifestyle offerings, talent development, and AI-powered platforms. The next Tourise Summit will be held in March 2027, Al Khateeb added.

The summit cites big names that unveiled investments at the summit, including BWH Hotels, FTG Development, GOCO Hospitality, Louvre Hotel Group, Delonix Group, BeOnd, Radisson Hotels, Dar Al Arkan, Al Fozan Holding Company, Al Othaim Holding, Cenomi, and more, according to a press release. We expect more and more announcements to keep trickling throughout the upcoming weeks.

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WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR-

#1- Tourism Development Fund (TDF) forged 14 new partnerships valued at over SAR 10 bn, Al Arabiya reported. Integrated hospitality projects totaling 1.2k keys were unveiled, including Jareed Asir, Land of Fog, Al Hadaba Park, Westin Resort, and The House Residences, as well as future developments in Haifa and Jabal Abdullah under the Mantis hospitality brand. The Fund also introduced the Sarina glamping project in Al Baha.

The TDF also inked three MoUs to explore potential investments — one with Meliá Hotels International to develop at least 1k rooms over the next three years and introduce new brands including ZEL, another with ina Hospitality to bring Relais & Châteaux brand to Saudi Arabia, and a third with Italian company Arsenale to develop the Dream of the Desert luxury train project covering 1.3 km across five routes.

#2- Shaza Hotels and Resorts inked four MoUs to establish Shaza Riyadh Stables Resort, Mysk Residences in Riyadh, and Mysk Al Haramain Hotels 3 and 4 in Makkah, it said in a press release on Thursday. Shaza also announced a USD 950 mn pipeline for international projects in key destinations like the Maldives, Turkey, Kuwait, Indonesia, Iraq, the US, Kenya, and Libya.

The Shaza Riyadh Stables Resort, signed with FSM Hospitality, will be a 63.5k sqm premium leisure destination in Al Jubailah, Riyadh, themed around “equestrian living.” It will feature 31 bungalow units, a full equestrian club with 100 horse boxes and three professional arenas, scenic tracks, a spa, gyms, paddle courts, soccer fields, a water park, and multiple restaurants.
The Mysk Residences in Riyadh, signed with Adante Realty LLC Oman, is a 58-key boutique aparthotel on King Salman Road. Located 10 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from Qiddiya and Murabba developments, it will offer one- to three-bedroom apartments and penthouses, a gym, a pool, and a 24-hour café.
The Mysk Al Haramain Hotels 3 and 4 in Makkah, signed with Al Rajhi Investments, are upscale hotels with 264 and 182 keys, respectively. Situated just 10 minutes from the Holy Mosque, they are designed for Umrah pilgrims and will feature dining options, dedicated prayer rooms, and shuttle services to the Holy Mosque.

#3- Midad Real Estate signed a SAR 7 bn agreement with PIF’s Jeddah Central Development and Kerzner International Holdings for the debut of the latter’s brands Atlantis and One&Only in the Kingdom, state news agency SPA reported.

#4- Events Investment Fund unveiled its Riyadh Shooting Range and Entertainment Complex with SAR 491 mn investments, state news agency SPA reported on Wednesday. Meeting the International Shooting Sport Federation standards, the 457k sqm facility in Qiddiya City will host national and international shooting events, including World Cups, Grand Prix, Asian Games, and the Olympics.

#5- Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY) launched Jaydana in Jazan along the Red Sea, state news agency SPA reported on Friday. The project is expected to secure SAR 2.9 bn investments during the initial phases. The first phase of the 3-km-sqm Jaydana is expected to conclude by 2032, with developments continuing through 2040, Acting General Manager of Investment Development Division at RCJY, Nawaf Al Wadie‏ told Asharq Business (watch, runtime: 05:12).

#6- PIF-owned Rua Al Madinah Holding sealed two agreements worth USD 165 mn, it said in a press release. The first agreement will see IHG Hotels and Resorts develop and operate Crowne Plaza Rua Al Madinah and Holiday Inn Rua Al Madinah within the Rua Al Madinah Project with about 2.3k keys and 1.3k job vacancies. Meanwhile, the second agreement with PIF’s Adeera Hospitality Management will see it manage and operate 250 premium hotel rooms and 120 residential units within the same project.

#7- Egyptian developer Tabarak Holding partnered with Minor Hotels for the latter to operate Oaks Residences Riyadh, Tabarak Holding CEO Aly El Shorbany told EnterpriseAM. Under the agreement, A’Aly Al Riyadh will be rebranded as Oaks Residence Riyadh, El Shorbany said, adding that some 70–80 units are ready, with the first phase set to be concluded by early next year. The project is valued at around SAR 170–180 mn so far, El Shorbany added.

The details: Located near the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh, Oaks Residence comprises 146 upscale units — spanning hotel rooms, studios, apartments, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a fitness center, according to a press release published on Thursday.

The Kingdom’s hospitality sector is “booming” and is expected to witness a breakthrough thanks to upcoming global events such as the 2034 World Cup and the 2029 Asian Winter Games, along with the number of conferences it hosts, El Shorbany noted.

ALSO SIGNED AT THE SUMMIT- Amsa Hospitality Company along with Hail Zone allocated SAR 35 mn to establish 115 hotel rooms within the Hail region, it said on LinkedIn on Thursday. Meanwhile, Erth Real Estate teamed up with IHG Group to launch Erth Towers under the Vignette Collection brand, introducing 776 hotel units within Masar Makkah, it posted on LinkedIn.

ICYMI- Our coverage of the opening day of the summit saw PIF-owned Al Balad Development investing USD 3.6 bn to build and revamp assets in Historic Jeddah, Red Sea Global inaugurating Amaala Triple Bay, US-based hotel management firm Valor Hospitality Partners signing an agreement to operate 3k keys, and travel tech Amadeus setting up its regional shop in Riyadh.

INITIATIVES LAUNCHED AT TOURISE-

The Tourise Destination Initiative brings together global officials and decision makers to discuss tourism innovation, according to a press release. Asir Governor Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will chair the event along with Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro.
The Visa by Profile initiative qualifies Visa cardholders for securing an electronic tourism visa using their card passport information within minutes, Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb posted on X.
The Tourism Ministry and the World Economic Forum launched the Beyond Tourisminitiative, which aims to reshape the sector globally via collaborative efforts on the basis of sustainability, inclusion, and resilience.
The second day saw the launch of the Agentic Tourism Initiative to introduce a digital framework for applying AI in the tourism sector.

Riyad Bank reportedly secures USD 1.5 bn syndicated loan from Asian lenders

Riyad Bank reportedly secured a USD 1.5 bn syndicated loan, with the bulk of commitments coming from lenders in Greater China as Middle Eastern borrowers increasingly tap Asian liquidity, Bloomberg reports, citing a source it says is in the know.

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The details: The loan drew participation from 34 banks across China, Taiwan, and South Korea and includes a USD 500 mn greenshoe option. The facility features a five-year tranche with a margin of 90 bps over the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) and a seven-year tranche with a margin of 117.5 bps over SOFR.

Gulf borrowers — particularly in Saudi Arabia — are increasingly turning to Asian lenders to fund large-scale expansion plans. Middle Eastern entities have raised about USD 12 bn in syndicated loans from Asia Pacific banks so far in 2025, nearly triple last year’s level and the highest on record, according to Bloomberg's tally. Among them is Banque Saudi Fransi, which has reportedly been seeking to land a USD 750 mn syndicated loan from Asian lenders to cover its general corporate expenses. Saudi Electricity was also reportedly looking eastward for a USD 1 bn facility.

The rationale: Middle Eastern borrowers have been turning to Asian lenders to seek funding for costly diversification plans amid pressure from lower oil prices. With rising borrowing needs, they have become increasingly open to expanding lender relationships and accessing new currencies and tenors not readily available in local markets, Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Loan Syndicate Amit Lakhwani told Bloomberg earlier this year.

ICYMI- Saudi corporate credit risk remains contained as companies deleverage, even with credit demand soaring, driven by Vision 2030 capital expenditure, S&P Global said in a research note last week. S&P forecasts 10% annual credit growth for the next two years but notes risks from project execution failures or cost overruns, adding that these risks could be amplified as Saudi banks turn to external debt, which approached 5% of domestic loans in August 2025.

MrBeast brings his challenges to life in Riyadh + Six Flags Qiddiya City to open on 31 December

Riyadh Season launched Beast Land last Thursday, introducing a MrBeast-themed attraction located between Boulevard City and Boulevard World, the festival said in a press release. The new zone brings the world’s top YouTuber James Donaldson’s high-energy challenge-driven videos to a real-world setting, marking a first for Riyadh Season.

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What we know: Beast Land — spanning 188k sqm — will be running until 27 December from 4pm to midnight on weekdays and to 1am on weekends. It offers over 15 rides and 14 challenge-based attractions, including the Viking Coaster, Phantom XXL, and a 50-meter bungee jump, state news agency SPA reports. The zone’s Beast Arena features over 10 competitive games — among them Tower Siege, Battle Bridge, and Warrior Challenge — with prizes exceeding USD 500k. The zone also houses a children’s area and more than 20 food outlets.

What they said: “One of the top requests I get is: I want to be in a MrBeast video… So now we are creating that in real life where you can come visit and experience it,” Donaldson (MrBeast) told Reuters ahead of Thursday’s launch.

Six Flags Qiddiya City will open to the public on Wednesday, 31 December, becoming the first entertainment asset to launch within Qiddiya City, state news agency SPA reported yesterday. The park — the first Six Flags park outside North America — offers 28 rides and a slate of headline attractions, including Falcon’s Flight, Rattler, and Spitfire. It is divided into six themed zones built around a Saudi-inspired castle, surrounded by international dining and retail outlets.

More and more parks: Aquarabia Water Theme Park is also slated to open this year, with both parks operated by US-based Six Flags Entertainment under an agreement signed with Qiddya Investment in February. Aquarabia will feature 22 water attractions, including the world’s first double water loop and a roller coaster with the highest jump, adding another anchor experience to Qiddiya City’s entertainment lineup.

New phase of Saudi retail defined by experience-led destinations, mainstream e-commerce

The Saudi retail sector is shifting toward experience-led destinations that blend shopping, dining, and entertainment, according to part two of Knight Frank’s Saudi Report 2025 (pdf). The report — conducted in partnership with YouGov — focused on non-residential sectors and surveyed Saudi nationals earning above SAR 10k per month and Saudi-based expats with monthly incomes above SAR 30k.

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By the numbers: Riyadh’s lifestyle retail market spans 484.9k sqm across 27 developments and maintains a 97% occupancy rate. It is projected to grow 34% annually through 2027, driven by new projects such as the 90k-sqm The Bellevue. In Jeddah, the market totals 233.4k sqm and is expected to nearly double to 439k sqm by 2027, led by Jeddah Cove Waterfront as its flagship destination. Occupancy in Jeddah stands at 81% overall, with F&B outlets at 75%. Across the Kingdom, lifestyle retail supply is expected to exceed 1 mn sqm by 2027.

Riyadh leads retail development: The capital remains the Kingdom’s retail hub with 4.17 mn sqm of gross leasable area (GLA) as of 1H 2025. Landmark projects such as The Avenues Riyadh (2026) and Diriyah Square (2027) will add over 600k sqm, part of a total 2.2 mn sqm pipeline through 2028. Across other major cities, 8.7 mn sqm of quality retail space is already in play, with over 3.4 mn sqm of new developments expected by 2028.

Strong demand keeps occupancy high: In Riyadh, prime regional and superregional mall rents average SAR 2.8k per sqm with 91% occupancy, led by high-end centers like Solitaire Mall. Jeddah’s occupancy stands at 87% with comparable rents, while the Dammam Metropolitan Area maintains 91% occupancy and average lease rates of SAR 2.3k per sqm.

MEANWHILE- E-commerce is becoming mainstream, with fewer than 2% of surveyed consumers saying they have never shopped online. E-commerce and PoS transactions rose 5% y-o-y to SAR 374 bn in 1H 2025, including a 42% jump in online spending to SAR 41 bn. Despite the digital boom, malls remain social hubs, with 29% of respondents visiting once or twice weekly, and another 27% going two to three times a week. A hybrid shopping model — combining online and in-store experiences — is preferred by 53% of consumers, especially high-income Saudis (63%) compared to expats (46%).

What Saudis are buying: Online spending is dominated by clothing and fashion (58%), electronics (49%), and groceries (48%), while categories like stationery (26%) and baby products (21%) lag due to their “specialty” nature. In physical stores, the mix tilts toward groceries (59%), clothing (46%), and beauty products (35%). Saudis show a stronger preference for home furnishings (26% vs. 15% among expats) and imported goods (28% vs. 14%).

Spending habits by income: High-income Saudis (earning SAR 80k+ monthly) shop online mainly for access to global brands, while middle-income shoppers prioritize convenience and value. Across all groups, 71% remain value-driven, typically spending SAR 100-400 per retail visit, compared to 27% of high earners who spend over SAR 1k.

Coffee and dining culture on the rise: Coffee outings have become the most common social activity, with 43% of Saudis going out multiple times a week and spending under SAR 50 per visit. Dessert outings follow, as family dining remains popular, with 38% dining out at least once weekly. While global cuisines dominate menus — Arabic food accounts for 19% in Riyadh and 15% in Jeddah — yet 60% of consumers still prefer Saudi cuisine.

Retailers need to embrace clicks and bricks: Saudi retail’s next phase will be driven by the convergence of digital and physical experiences, with success hinging on omni-channel retail, localized F&B, and offerings that appeal to both value-driven and luxury consumers. Brick and mortar stores unable to sell online “will suffer,” as rising digital demand — fueled by a population 63% under 30 — forces adaptation, Knight Frank Partner and MENA Head of Research Faisal Durrani told Asharq Business (watch, runtime: 06:48).

Al Kholood’s new “Moneyball” model in the Pro League draws the foreign press’ attention

Al Kholood is drawing fresh attention from the foreign press as the club works to carve out a long-term place in the Saudi Pro League, with Reuters highlighting its plans under American sports investor Ben Harburg. Rather than chasing big-name signings, the newly promoted side — the first Saudi club acquired by a foreign buyer in July — is looking to mirror clubs like Brentford or Brighton by focusing on smart recruitment, stability, and a clear football identity.

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Moneyballing it: Harburg’s strategy to prioritize long-term stability over overspending on marquee signings — a notable contrast with the league’s biggest clubs — draws on the “moneyball” model, using data-driven analysis to guide player recruitment and development. Harburg said the ambition is for Al Kholood to become “the Red Bull of the region,” producing top-quality players from its academy and talent network.

ALSO- Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand touted Saudi’s fast-growing sports market in an interview with Bloomberg on Friday (watch, runtime: 8:24). Saudi Arabia is making smart investments in a “huge lead” up to the 2034 World Cup, following a period of heavy investment to stabilize the market and gain room for better and smarter decisions in later years, he added. Ferdinand, who last year bought a stake in homegrown sports news platform Koora Break, said the sport’s growth will depend on how effectively its content reaches fans.

India’s IGL Taps Saudi Market with Masah gas partnership

EXPANSION-

India’s IGL enters Saudi Arabia through Masah partnership: Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) inked a strategic pact with Saudi Arabia’s Masah Construction Company to co-develop natural gas distribution networks across key industrial cities in the kingdom, according to a disclosure to the Indian bourse.

IGL runs a 28k km-long gas pipeline across major Indian cities, including the New Delhi National Capital Region, fueling 2.1 mn vehicles through 950 stations and reaching 3 mn households, according to the Hindu Businessline.

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

INVESTMENT WATCH-

Saudi + Sri Lanka joint business council in the works: The Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka signed an MoU to establish a Saudi-Sri Lanka Joint Business Council, Sri Lanka Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad told Arab News on Thursday. The council will bring together private sector representatives from both countries to boost cooperation, promote investment, and collaborate across several sectors, including tourism, technology, mining, manufacturing, and agriculture.

DISPUTE WATCH-

#1- CMA’s Appeal Committee for Resolution of Securities Disputes ordered three former Mohammad Al Mojil Group board members and employees to pay SAR 90.8 mn to 668 investors, CMA said in a statement on Thursday. The case relates to a class action over the company’s 2011 and early 2012 financial disclosures, which were later deemed inaccurate and misleading, creating a false picture of the firm’s financial position.

#2- SAR 14.5 mn fines for market violations: The Capital Market Authority (CMA) imposed fines totaling around SAR 14.5 mn on six investors and two investment companies for violating the Capital Market Law, Market Conduct Regulations, and Securities Business Regulations, CMA said in a statement on Thursday. The violators include Diyar Altamlik Real Estate and Middle East Financial Investment, along with investors tied to Rawasi Albina Investment.

FINANCIAL SERVICES-

Oud Capital secured approval from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to begin operations in the Kingdom, allowing it to conduct investment management, operate funds, and provide advisory services in the securities business, according to a Tadawul disclosure.

Fed policymakers signal hesitation on December rate cut amid deepening divisions

A growing number of Federal Reserve policymakers are signaling reluctance to push ahead with further rate cuts this year, citing persistent inflation pressures and mixed labor-market data, Reuters reports. The shift comes as short-term futures now price in only a 44.5% chance of another reduction when the Federal Open Market Committee meets on 9-10 December, according to CME FedWatch.

The perceived likelihood that the Fed will cut is down more than 20 chance points from the week starting 7 November, which had pencilled in a 66.9% likelihood. But roll clocks back a month, and the probability of a cut was put at 94.2%.

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

REMEMBER- The Fed has already delivered two 25 bps cuts this year in September and October, bringing the target range to 3.75-4.00% as Chair Jerome Powell attempts to steer between showing growth and inflation still running near 3%. Powell noted after the October cut that another move in December was “far from” assured, particularly given the delay in official data releases caused by the US government shutdown.

Boston Fed’s Susan Collins warned she sees a "relatively high bar" for additional easing absent “notable labor-market deterioration.” Minneapolis Fed’s Neel Kashkari said inflation remains “too high,” adding that while some parts of the US economy are performing well, “some sectors of the labor market look like they’re under pressure.”

Many Fed officials have changed their tone quite dramatically in the last few weeks, including San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, who said that it was “premature” to decide on another move four weeks ahead of the next policy meeting — marking a shift in stance from her vocal support of rate cuts previously.

Complicating matters is the lack of official data to inform their decisions, with the government shutdown having delayed the release of key economic data. But even with the shutdown now over, inflation and jobs data for October will “likely never” be released, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday. Leavitt characteristically blamed Democrats and said that the absence of data will leave “our policy makers at the Fed flying blind at a critical period.”

TASI	11,178	-0.7% (YTD: -7.1%)
MSCI Tadawul 30	1,451	-0.9% (YTD: -3.8%)
NomuC	24,242	+0.4% (YTD: -23.0%)
USD : SAR (SAMA)	USD 3.75 Sell	USD 3.75 Buy
Interest rates	4.5% repo	4.0% reverse repo
EGX30	40,191	-0.1% (YTD: +35.1%)
ADX	9,918	-0.4% (YTD: +5.3%)
DFM	5,950	-0.7% (YTD: +15.3%)
S&P 500	6,734	-0.1% (YTD: +14.5%)
FTSE 100	9,698	-1.1% (YTD: +18.7%)
Euro Stoxx 50	5,694	-0.9% (YTD: +16.3%)
Brent crude	USD 64.39	+2.2%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 4.57	-1.7%
Gold	USD 4,094	-2.4%
BTC	USD 95,312	-1.1% (YTD: +1.7%)
Sukuk/bond market index	916.64	0.0% (YTD: +1.6%)
S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk	151.92	0.0% (YTD: +8.6%)
VIX (Fear gauge)	19.83	-0.9% (YTD: +14.3%)

THE CLOSING BELL: TADAWUL-

The TASI fell 0.7% on Thursday on turnover of SAR 3.8 bn. The index is down 7.1% YTD.

In the green: Taprco (+10.0%), SPM (+6.0%) and Chemanol (+3.9%).

In the red: Jahez (-4.8%), Senaat (-4.2%) and Tanmiah (-3.7%).

THE CLOSING BELL: NOMU-

The NomuC rose 0.4% on Thursday on turnover of SAR 37.5 mn. The index is down 23% YTD.

In the green: HKC (+9.1%), Alqemam (+8.5%) and Shalfa (+7.7%).

In the red: Alrazi (-5.9%), Riyal (-5.3%) and Multi Business (-4.9%).

CORPORATE ACTIONS-

The Capital Market Authority (CMA) greenlit Emaar, The Economic City’s request to increase its capital by SAR 4.1 bn through debt conversion, according to a Tadawul statement. The plan is still pending approval by the company’s general assembly and completion of regulatory procedures.

REFRESHER- In August, Emaar extended the term of its capital increase agreement with the Public Investment Fund to end on 31 December, instead of 7 September. The agreement allows the company to convert the PIF’s debt into shares, following an amendment in March that raised the conversion amount to SAR 4.1 bn.

CALENDAR

NOVEMBER

16-17 November (Sunday-Monday): Jeddah Fintech Week 2025, Jeddah Hilton, Jeddah.

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

18 November (Tuesday): Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington.

19-22 November (Wednesday-Saturday): PIF Saudi International Golf Championship, Riyadh Gold Club.

20 November (Thursday): Deadline for title deed registration for 14.6k properties across 21 neighborhoods in Qassim.

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

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

23 November-26 February 2026:Title deed registration for 142.8k properties across 104 neighborhoods in Hail.

23-27 November (Sunday-Thursday): Global Industry Summit by United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Riyadh.

23-27 November (Sunday-Thursday): The UNIDO General Conference, King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, Riyadh.

23 November - 10 December (Sunday- Wednesday): The Absher Tuwaiq Hakathon (remote).

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.

25-26 November (Tuesday-Wednesday): The Global Sustainability Expo, The Arena Riyadh Venue, Ghirnatah.

25-29 November (Tuesday-Saturday): General Aviation Airshow 2025 - Sand & Fun, Riyadh.

27 November (Thursday): Deadline for title deed registration for 8.7k properties in Jeddah’s Al Sheraa and Al Amwaj neighborhoods.

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

27-29 November (Thursday-Saturday): UIM F1H2O World Championship, Jeddah.

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

30 November-1 December (Sunday-Monday): FII Priority Asia Summit, Tokyo.

DECEMBER

1-3 December (Monday-Wednesday): Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

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

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

3-5 December (Wednesday-Friday): Beyond Profit Forum, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Riyadh.

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

8-9 December (Monday-Tuesday): Digital Acceleration and Transformation Expo (DATE), JW Marriott hotel, Riyadh.

8-9 December (Monday-Tuesday): Climate Action and Renewable Energy (CARE), JW Marriott hotel, Riyadh.

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

11 December (Thursday): Deadline for title deed registration for 214.2k properties across Riyadh and the Eastern Province.

11-13 December (Thursday - Saturday): The Absher Tuwaiq Hakathon (in-person).

15-17 December (Monday-Wednesday): Host Arabia, Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center.

15-17 December (Monday-Wednesday): Saudi HORECA, Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center.

16-17 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): Global Airports Forum (GAF) 2025, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh.

19 December (Friday): The 2025 Saudi Toyota Championship wraps up.

25 December (Thursday): Title title deed registration deadline for 64.4k properties across neighborhoods in Madinah, Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.

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): Title deed registration deadline for 54k properties in 77 neighborhoods across Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province.

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.

15 January (Thursday): Title deed registration deadline for 31.7k properties in 14 neighborhoods in the Eastern Province.

15 January (Thursday): Title deed registration deadline for about 157.3k properties in 78 neighborhoods across the Eastern Province.

15 January (Thursday): Title deed registration deadline for about 41.7k properties across 115 neighborhoods in Riyadh, Qassim, and the Eastern Province.

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

26-27 January (Monday-Tuesday): SuperReturn Saudi Arabia, Hotel Fairmont, 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.

26-28 (Monday-Wednesday): IFAT Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, 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.

2-13 (Monday-Friday): 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championship and Paralympic Cycling, Qassim.

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

5-7 February (Thursday-Saturday): LIV Golf 2026 season opener, Riyadh Golf Club, Riyadh.

8-12 February (Sunday-Thursday): World Defense Show, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh.

9-10 February (Monday-Tuesday): Global Games Show Riyadh 2026, Malf Hall, Riyadh.

9-14 February (Monday-Saturday): Asian Racing Conference, Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Centre, 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

21 March (Saturday): Fanatics Flag Football Classic, Kingdom Arena, Riyadh.

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

APRIL

6 April (Monday): Procurement and Supply Chain Futures Forum, Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.

6-7 April (Monday-Tuesday): Real Estate Supply Chain Forum, Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.

12-15 April (Sunday-Wednesday): Saudi Print & Pack, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

12-15 April (Sunday-Wednesday): Riyadh International Industry Week, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

12-15 April (Sunday-Wednesday): Saudi Plastics & Petrochem, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

12-15 April (Sunday-Wednesday): Saudi Smart Logistics, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

13-16 April (Monday-Thursday): Leap Tech Conference, Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center - Malham.

20-22 April (Monday-Wednesday): The Future Hospitality Summit, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.

20-22 April (Monday-Wednesday): Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

21 April (Tuesday): GC Summit Saudi Arabia 2026, Saudi Arabia.

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

MAY

3-5 May (Sunday-Tuesday): Sports Investment Forum (SIF), Riyadh.

SEPTEMBER

15-17 September (Tuesday-Thursday) The Global AI Summit, King Abdulaziz International Convention Center, Riyadh.

OCTOBER

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

Signposted to happen sometime in 2026:

November: UN Trade and Development Global Supply Chain Forum to take place in Saudi Arabia.
November: The Esports Nations Cup, Riyadh.
The Intervision international music competition will take place in Saudi Arabia.
6 July-23 August (Monday-Sunday): Esports World Cup, Riyadh.

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.

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