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Intelligence for the New World Economy
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Matthew Martin
Saudi Arabia Bureau Chief
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The Gulf is still dealmaking, for now
Sovereign funds are still doing global deals but attracting money to the Gulf will slow down, at least for now.
Faisal Al Nasser/Reuters
UAE stocks slide as markets reopen after Iranian strikes
The main indices for the Abu Dhabi and Dubai bourses ended Wednesday down 1.9% and 4.7% respectively.
Abdel Hadi Ramahi/Reuters
Gulf officials insist weapons systems are well stocked amid questions
While there are no details about depletion rates, there appears to be a discrepancy between offense and defense capabilities among US allies.
A missile is intercepted in Qatar. Saleh Salem/Reuters.
US urges citizens to leave Gulf over ‘serious safety risks’
The travel advisory was published around the same time that the US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two Iranian drones.
A security forces vehicle patrols an area in Riyadh. Stringer/Reuters.
Riyadh becomes transit hub for worried rich fleeing Gulf
Rich families and senior executives are being ferried to Saudi Arabia as safety concerns push those that can to escape for safety.
Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters
Gulf markets slump, oil futures spike after Iranian attacks
Iranian strikes across the Gulf sent Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul index down almost 5%, before paring back some losses.
Faisal Al Nasser/Reuters
Saudi pumps more oil, bets on gas
Saudi Arabia’s oil shipments are on track to hit their highest level in almost three years, while state oil firm Aramco started production at a new gas field.
Bahrain hit by another credit downgrade
The government set out plans to tackle the situation, including a corporate income tax from 2027.
Consulting still growing in Saudi despite slowdown
The industry’s revenues will expand by 13% this year, slower than the 25% rise in 2023 but still higher than the international average, a new report found.
Riyadh tiptoes toward looser Ramadan restrictions
A small but growing number of cafes and restaurants are starting to serve food during the Muslim month of fasting, in the latest sign of social change.
Why Abu Dhabi’s next play is managing other people’s money
Judan Financial is the latest Abu Dhabi firm seeking to position the emirate as a hub for global capital, not just its own oil wealth.
Video AI startup shifts compute to Saudi as AI chips arrive
The kingdom will get “monstrous” numbers of AI chips, says Luma AI’s CEO.
Saudi replaces key minister amid pressure to attract foreign cash
A government reshuffle puts a Saudi wealth fund executive in charge of bringing in much-needed FDI.
Saudi’s HUMAIN invests in sports AI
HUMAIN acquired a controlling stake in ai.oi, a UK company that uses AI to scout for sporting talent and suggest improvements for athletes’ performance.
Mubadala Capital to buy US billboards firm Clear Channel
The deal values the advertising company at $6.2 billion.
Gulf funds may be getting their wish for fast-track US deals
The Trump administration is formalizing plans to give big foreign investors faster approval to do US deals.
US investor aims to raise $100M for Saudi defense VC fund
MASNA Ventures launches first fund of its kind targeting investments in the Saudi military industry.
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia firm up ties
The two countries have steadily rebuilt ties that had reached a low ebb in 2017 to 2020, when Ankara sided with Qatar in a regional dispute.