{"id":105344,"date":"2026-01-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/01\/27\/this-morning-aramco-taps-bond-markets\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T00:00:00","slug":"this-morning-aramco-taps-bond-markets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/01\/27\/this-morning-aramco-taps-bond-markets\/","title":{"rendered":"THIS MORNING: Aramco taps bond markets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Good morning, wonderful people<\/strong>. If you feel January has been going on for too long, you\u2019re not alone. Maybe it\u2019s the post-holiday blues: the slow pace of days following the crazy festive Christmas season, as <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.co.uk\/entry\/why-january-seems-to-last-so-long_uk_69720c71e4b0e15d54cc05e4\" style=\"\">one psychologist thinks<\/a>. We\u2019re <strong>this <\/strong>close to January\u2019s last workday, anyway, so hang in there.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Leading today\u2019s issue: <\/strong>Is your net worth is over USD 30 mn or you have a luxury yacht? You might be in luck: the Premium Residency Program is reportedly weighing a new expansion that will target high-net-worth individuals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Happening today<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>South African industrial heavyweight Barloworld is <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/business\/848681\/saudi-giant-officially-takes-over-south-african-company-for-r23-billion\/\" style=\"\">getting delisted<\/a><\/strong><strong> from the <\/strong><strong>Johannesburg Stock Exchange and A2X today<\/strong>, after a Zahid Group-led consortium completed a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2025\/03\/11\/zahid-group-pursues-new-takeover-talks-with-south-africas-barloworld\/\" style=\"\">USD 1.3 bn<\/a> take-private acquisition. The move ends the 123-year-old company's run on the public markets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>It took persistence:<\/strong> After shareholders rejected an initial full buyout in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2025\/03\/02\/pif-eyes-stake-in-aerostructure-unit-of-italys-leonardo\/\" style=\"\">late 2024<\/a>, Zahid pivoted to a standby offer at ZAR 120 per share \u2014 an 87% premium to the pre-talks price. The acquisition was executed via Newco, a vehicle backed by Zahid\u2019s Gulf Falcon Holding and Entsha, an entity linked to Barloworld CEO Dominic Sewela. Sewela\u2019s involvement <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.moneyweb.co.za\/news\/companies-and-deals\/competition-tribunal-gives-nod-to-barloworld-takeover\/\" style=\"\">sparked backlash<\/a> from minority shareholders and governance hawks, who flagged the conflict of a sitting CEO negotiating his own equity roll-over into the buying vehicle. Despite the governance noise, the consortium secured 97.6% of acceptances, allowing them to squeeze out the remaining minorities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong> Barloworld is the sole distributor of Caterpillar equipment in Southern Africa, anchoring it to the region's critical mining and infrastructure capex. For Zahid \u2014 already a Caterpillar heavyweight in the Middle East \u2014 this secures a dominant grip on the dealership footprint across the entire Saudi-Africa corridor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>WEATHER-<\/strong> Dust storms are still blowing over parts of Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Makkah, Madinah, and Najran.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Riyadh: 20\u00b0C high \/ 8\u00b0C low.<\/li>\n<li>Jeddah: 32\u00b0C high \/ 23\u00b0C low.<\/li>\n<li>Makkah: 33\u00b0C high \/ 22\u00b0C low.<\/li>\n<li>Dammam: 21\u00b0C high \/ 10\u00b0C low.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> Watch this space<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><a id=\"wwtt1\"><\/a> <strong> <\/strong><strong>DEBT \u2014<\/strong> <strong>Aramco is back in the bond market: <\/strong>State-owned oil giant Aramco has priced its USD 4 bn in bond issuance \u2014 its first of the year to back its investments and dividend commitments, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-01-26\/aramco-starts-first-bond-sale-of-this-year-as-oil-prices-lag\" style=\"\">Bloomberg<\/a> reports, citing a source close to the matter. The oil giant is offering four USD-denominated bonds, with maturities ranging from three to 30 years.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Strong demand = lower yields. <\/strong>The offering attracted over USD 22 bn at its peak, which then settled at USD 14 bn after the pricing was adjusted. The spread over US Treasuries is around 130 bps for the 30-year tranche, well below the initial price of 165 bps, Bloomberg\u2019s source said. While the source didn\u2019t disclose the final price for the three, five, and 10-year tranches, we can assume that they saw similar dips from <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/saudi-aramco-gives-initial-price-guidance-four-tranche-bonds-2026-01-26\/\" style=\"\">their initial prices<\/a> of 100 bps, 115 bps, and 125 bps, respectively. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The move comes after a relatively active funding run.<\/strong> Aramco tapped investors several times over the past year, most recently with a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2025\/09\/21\/aramco-completes-usd-denominated-sukuk-issuance\/?repeat=w3tc\" style=\"\">USD 3 bn<\/a> sukuk in September, after a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2025\/05\/28\/aramco-raises-usd-5-bn-in-its-first-usd-denominated-bond-issuance-this-year\/?repeat=w3tc\" style=\"\">USD 5 bn<\/a> conventional bond sale in May.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The oil giant formally kicked off the debt sale yesterday<\/strong>, under its Global Medium Term Note Program, confirming the notes will be senior unsecured and marketed to institutional investors, with a USD 200k minimum ticket, according to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saudiexchange.sa\/wps\/portal\/saudiexchange\/newsandreports\/issuer-news\/issuer-announcements\/issuer-announcements-details\/?anId=92807&anCat=1&cs=2222&locale=en\" style=\"\">a bourse filing<\/a>. The offering is open through 2 February, with the final size, pricing, and maturities subject to market conditions, and proceeds earmarked for general corporate purposes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>ADVISORS-<\/strong> Our friends at HSBC are acting as active joint bookrunners alongside Citi, Goldman Sachs International, JP Morgan, and Morgan Stanley. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Bank of China, BofA Securities, BSF Capital, Emirates NBD Capital, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mizuho, MUFG, Natixis, Riyad Capital, SMBC, and Standard Chartered are passive joint bookrunners.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><a id=\"wwtt2\"><\/a> <strong>NEOM \u2014 Details of the recalibration plan for the futuristic city keep <\/strong><strong>trickling<\/strong>: The gigaproject reportedly created a new chief of staff division to strengthen oversight, as part of the year-long <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/01\/04\/shifting-the-gigaproject-focus\/#:~:text=%E2%80%9Ccomprehensive%20review%E2%80%9D%20under%20CEO%20Aiman%20Al%20Mudaifer\" style=\"\">\u201ccomprehensive review\u201d<\/a> that is set to wrap up in the coming months, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.semafor.com\/article\/01\/26\/2026\/saudis-neom-creates-new-unit-to-boost-oversight\" style=\"\">Semafor<\/a> reported yesterday, citing unnamed sources.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Who\u2019s at the helm? <\/strong>The new unit is reportedly headed by Mazen Al Furaih \u2014 previously a senior director at the PIF \u2014 and includes five senior executives tasked with tightening project governance and improving coordination with the government.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Fewer workers:<\/strong> The recalibration hit staffing levels in the project, with several hundred employees dismissed from the workforce of around 6k, the sources said. Contractors have cut thousands more jobs as construction activity at The Line slowed sharply, reflecting a broader reset in timelines.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why this matters:<\/strong> The ambitious USD 1 tn gigaproject has faced mounting fiscal and engineering pressures, leading to delays and scaled-back designs. The new unit signals a bid to improve efficiency and curb ballooning costs, helping keep the project moving on a more sustainable budget and schedule.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>IN CONTEXT- <\/strong><strong>This<\/strong><strong> move adds to the recent reports of a <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/am-edition\/\" style=\"\">new vision for Neom<\/a><\/strong><strong> as a \u201cfar <\/strong><strong>smaller\u201d development, serving as a hub for data centers<\/strong>. Neom\u2019s management may also be reshaped, with control possibly shifting from the PIF to other state-backed entities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>But work never stopped here:<\/strong> Although the 2029 Asian Winter Games were deferred because of delayed work at Torjena, construction continues at the ski resort, along with progress at the megaport and industrial city Oxagon, and the world\u2019s largest green hydrogen plant, according to Semafor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong><a id=\"wwtt3\"><\/a> <\/strong><strong>CONSULTING<\/strong><strong> \u2014 Is PwC back in the PIF\u2019s good graces? <\/strong>The Public Investment Fund reportedly allowed PwC to resume bidding on its advisory and consulting contracts, as the 12-month ban is coming to an end, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-01-26\/pwc-said-to-resume-work-on-pitches-to-saudi-arabia-s-pif-after-ban-ends\" style=\"\">Bloomberg<\/a> reported, citing people it said are familiar with the matter.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why this matters:<\/strong>PwC\u2019s ban reportedly triggered <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2025\/09\/21\/red-sea-global-will-take-over-sindalah-tourist-island-from-neom\/\" style=\"\">layoffs<\/a> of some 60 partners and 1.5k employees last year, with the firm\u2019s revenue growth dropping to 0.4% for the fiscal year ending in June 2025, down from 26% growth recorded the previous year. Resuming business as usual offers a sigh of relief for the firm, which seeks a chunk of the large Saudi advisory and consulting market.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The Kingdom remains a crucial market for PwC<\/strong>, which opened a new regional headquarters in Riyadh\u2019s Laysen Valley <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PwC_Middle_East\/status\/1999128423420272942?s=20\" style=\"\">last month<\/a> and appointed new leadership for its Middle East business <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2025\/09\/21\/red-sea-global-will-take-over-sindalah-tourist-island-from-neom\/\" style=\"\">earlier last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>REAL ESTATE \u2014 Al Saedan Real Estate <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/alsaedan-real-estate-co-_al-saedan-real-estate-has-signed-a-sar-15-activity-7421627862216224769-9MVQ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACeyy0oB1F4he80zRLNU8H-OLR9lNA7xsrc\" style=\"\">has launched<\/a><\/strong><strong> a SAR 1.5 bn investment platform<\/strong> \u2014 named SL Property \u2014 that will focus on commercial, residential, hospitality, infrastructure, and data center developments across the country. The platform will invest in six to eight projects \u2014 concentrated in Riyadh and Jeddah \u2014 in its first phase. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>All thanks to the Foreign Property Ownership Law: <\/strong>The development was spurred on by the Foreign Property Ownership Law, which has <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/01\/25\/foreign-ownership-of-real-estate-is-now-live\/\" style=\"\">gone live<\/a> this week, allowing non-Saudi individuals and institutions to own properties and hold real estate rights in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Who\u2019s involved? <\/strong>SL Property was set up in partnership with UK-based specialist asset manager <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/serpentinelake.com\/\" style=\"\">Serpentine Lake Capital<\/a> and Canadian real estate investment outfit <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.sgi.st\/sgi-real-estate-canada\/\" style=\"\">SGI Real Estate<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Market Watch<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong><a id=\"wwtt4\"><\/a> <\/strong><strong>Opec+ is expected to keep oil output increases on hold through March at<\/strong><strong> its <\/strong><strong>meeting on Sunday<\/strong>, delegates told <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/opec-likely-maintain-oil-production-pause-march-prices-climb-sources-say-2026-01-26\/\" style=\"\">Reuters<\/a>. The alliance froze planned hikes after a rapid unwinding of production cuts last year \u2014 effectively holding supply flat for 1Q. Brent has peaked at around USD 66 a barrel this month, up from year-start lows, thanks to supply setbacks in Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The expectation inside the group is that policy stays unchanged, though some members<\/strong><strong> caution that discussions have not formally begun yet<\/strong>, four delegates told <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-01-26\/opec-likely-to-stick-with-supply-pause-in-march-delegates-say?srnd=phx-industries-energy\" style=\"\">Bloomberg<\/a>. There is no sense so far that this month\u2019s turbulence in Venezuela or Iran requires a response, one source said, while another flagged the caveat: a serious supply disruption would change the math fast and could push Opec+ to open the taps.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Data point<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>3k+ aircraft \u2014 that\u2019s the cumulative order backlog held by the UAE, India, and Saudi<\/strong> <strong>Arabia with Airbus and Boeing<\/strong>, more than double the size of their current fleets, according to a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.avolon.aero\/newsrooms\/avolon-2026-outlook-up-next\" style=\"\">statement<\/a> from Avolon. Around 900 deliveries are expected over the next three years.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The global scene: <\/strong>While the aviation sector\u2019s prospects are looking promising, thanks to persistent low fuel prices and growth from markets like the US, Europe, the Gulf, and India, a chronic undersupply of aircraft is weighing on the outlook. Airbus and Boeing\u2019s total backlog now stands at more than 11 years, as the two \u2014 along with Embraer \u2014 saw 2k new orders last year. Going forward, the aircraft shortage is set to lead to higher lease rates.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Still, the sector\u2019s earnings are set to come in at USD 41 bn this year<\/strong>, which would make it the fourth year of gains as it looks to recover the USD 182 bn pandemic-induced losses. <\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-12 subscribe-box-panel\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<h4 class=\"fw-lighter mb-10\">   Get <b style=\"font-weight: 700\">Enterprise<\/b> daily   <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-10\">The roundup of news and trends that move your markets and shape corporate agendas delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<p>  <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"ksa\/en\/user\/NewsLetters\" class=\"btn-green px-3 d-flex align-items-center\">Subscribe here<\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>***<\/strong><strong>You\u2019re reading EnterpriseAM Saudi<\/strong>, your essential daily roundup of business, economics, and must-read news about Saudi, delivered straight to your inbox. We\u2019re out Sunday through Thursday by 7am Riyadh time.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>EnterpriseAM Saudi is available without charge <\/strong>thanks to the generous support of our friends at Tas\u2019heel and Hassan Allam Properties.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Want to send us a story idea<\/strong>, request coverage, ask for a correction, or otherwise get in touch? Reach out to us on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"mailto:climate@enterprisemea.com\" style=\"\">saudi@enterpriseAM.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>DID YOU KNOW <\/strong>that we also cover <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/egypt\/en\" style=\"\">Egypt<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/uae\/en\" style=\"\">the UAE<\/a>, the MENA <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/logistics\/en\" style=\"\">logistics<\/a> industry, and the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/mena-india\/en\" style=\"\"><\/a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/mena-india\/en\" style=\"\">MENA <> India<\/a> corridor?<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Were you forwarded this email? <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/ksa\/en\/user\/news-letters\" style=\"\">Tap or click here<\/a> to get your own copy of EnterpriseAM Saudi delivered every weekday.<br \/><strong>***<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">The big story abroad <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>It\u2019s a mixed bag in the foreign business press this morning<\/strong>, with the USD\u2019s slide, gas prices, and Trump\u2019s latest tariff announcement all making headlines. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>#1- Trump to hike tariffs on Seoul: <\/strong>US President Donald Trump <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/115963633972056786\" style=\"\">announced<\/a> he is hiking tariffs on South Korean autos, lumber, and pharma from 15% to 25%, blaming the country\u2019s legislature for not implementing a trade agreement <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/autos-transportation\/south-korea-releases-details-trade-deal-struck-with-us-2025-10-30\/\" style=\"\">reached last November<\/a>. The move strains Washington\u2019s relationship with a major trade partner, as South Korea <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/business\/economy\/trump-says-hiking-tariffs-south-korean-goods-25-rcna256028\" style=\"\">ranks among the top 10 sources<\/a> of imports to the US, with over USD 150 bn worth of Korean goods heading to the US every year.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>#2- The USD dipped to <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/newsletters\/2026-01-26\/dollar-drops-as-traders-anticipate-action-to-support-yen?srnd=phx-economics-v2\" style=\"\">its lowest point since 2022<\/a><\/strong> amid speculation about joint US-Japan efforts to boost the JPY, which jumped to a two-month high. Adding to pressure on the greenback are worries of another government shutdown and geopolitical tension pushing investors away from the currency and into safe haven assets. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>#3- Musk\u2019s X is in hot water with the EU: <\/strong>The European Union is <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/ip_26_203\" style=\"\">investigating<\/a> Elon Musk\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/x.com\" style=\"\">X<\/a> following the generation of explicit images of women and children by its in-app AI chatbot Grok. The probe will ascertain whether or not the company properly mitigated risks of its chatbot\u2019s functionalities in the bloc. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>#4- US natural gas prices have soared to a <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/0ba591dc-e86b-4521-8bc8-7b730bf629bf\" style=\"\">three-year high<\/a><\/strong> after a major winter storm disrupted production across the country. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PLUS: Neom reportedly creates new unit for oversight<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":105345,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_primary_brand":0,"newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2540],"tags":[139,10,9],"brand":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"class_list":["post-105344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-what-were-tracking-today","tag-aramco","tag-enterpriseam-ksa","tag-what-were-tracking-today","wpautop","entry"],"acf":{"mongo_id":"71ff47a5-5d08-464c-8a4c-ef68b371aea5","order":"2","is_powered_by":false,"story_type":"4","photo_url":"https:\/\/ent.news\/2024\/6\/169.jpg","photo_position":"above","homepage_title":"","full_issue_title":"Aramco taps bond markets","related_issue":[105342],"teaser":"PLUS: Neom reportedly creates new unit for oversight"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - 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