• EU imports US$120.5bn worth of energy products in Q4 2023

    BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – In the fourth quarter of 2023, the EU imported US$120.5 billion (€111.3 billion) worth of energy products amounting to a total of 187.9 million tonnes. Compared with the same period in 2022, imports decreased both in value (-34.2 percent) and in net mass (-11.7 percent), according to...
  • Italy’s Enel doubles net profit

    Its net profit spiked to US$3.7 billion in 2023.
  • Non-oil sectors contribute 50% to Saudi Arabia’s real GDP in 2023

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Non-oil activities in the Kingdom have achieved a historic milestone, reaching a 50 percent share of the country's real GDP in 2023 – the highest level on record, according to an analysis of the General Authority for Statistics data by the Ministry of Economy and Planning....
  • Aramco profit down in 2023

    The oil giant posted a 24.7% fall in net profit to US$121.25bn.
  • Iraq economy likely to grow this year, says IMF

    BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Economic growth of the country is projected to continue amid fiscal expansion, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team said. The team said that medium-term vulnerabilities to oil price volatility have increased significantly. Growth in the non-oil sector has rebounded strongly in 2023 while inflation receded. Supported by...
  • Saudi, UAE and Iraq extend oil cuts, Russia to slash output by 471,000 bpd

    An energy ministry source said Riyadh "will extend its voluntary cut of one million barrels per day, which was implemented in July 2023, until the end of the second quarter of 2024," the official Saudi Press Agency reported. "Afterwards, in order to support market stability, these additional cut volumes will...
  • Gold hovers near a month high on slowing US inflation

    ABU DHABI, UAE- Gold prices hovered near a month high on Friday after data suggested easing US price pressures, while traders awaited remarks from several Federal Reserve officials. According to Reuters, spot gold edged 0.2 percent higher to $2,047.29 per ounce, as of 0635 GMT, after hitting $2050.59 on Thursday...
  • Geopolitical risks, sanctions keep commodity markets on edge

    Istanbul, Turkey--The commodity markets saw supply concerns and rises by optimism from China, despite the negative impact of the Fed's announcements, sanctions, and ongoing geopolitical risks. Uncertainties as to when the Fed will start cutting interest rates persist, and the minutes of last week's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting...
  • China home prices edge down in January, data shows

    Beijing, China--Major Chinese cities reported falling home prices in January with narrowing declines, official data showed on Friday. The National Bureau of Statistics reported that 56 of 70 large and medium-sized cities saw month-on-month drops in new home prices, down from 62 in December 2023. Additionally, 68 such cities registered...
  • Oil may rise to $100, gold to hit $3,000 by 2025, says Citi

    ABU DHABI, UAE - Oil prices could rise to $100 per barrel and gold prices could reach $3,000 per ounce within the next 12 to 18 months, subject to three potential catalysts, CNBC reported, citing Citi analysts. Aakash Doshi, Citi’s North America head of commodities research, told CNBC that gold...
  • Equinor reports 59% fall in net profit

    Its earnings were US$36.2bn, half of what is was in 2022.
  • Exxon Mobil posts bumper profit

    The company profit vaulted to US$36bn during the year 2023.
  • Oil prices rise after US, UK strike Houthi rebels

    Oil prices surged four percent after US and UK forces launched strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels after attacks on ships in the Red Sea, fueling worries about a wider conflict. Tokyo and European stock markets ended the week with gains as traders brushed off data showing US inflation rose more...
  • UAE announces reduction in fuel prices for January

    ABU DHABI, UAE - The prices of petrol and diesel are set to decrease in the country in January following fluctuations in the global oil market. This change reflects a continuous trend observed in the fuel prices over the past few months, with September and October witnessing increases and November...
  • Kuwait’s annual inflation jumps to 3.79% in November

    According to the Kuwait Central Statistical Bureau, the upward trend was mainly attributed to rising prices across all major groups impacting key indices, especially food, education, and clothing. The food and beverages sector experienced the most notable increase, with its index surging by 5.81% in November compared to the same...
  • Qatar expects a decrease in inflation next year

    Doha, Qatar-- Inflation in Qatar is expected to fall in 2024, according to Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, the Minister of Finance. In a press conference on Thursday, the minister said that the inflation witnessed in Qatar in 2023 was temporary and associated with a specific period and reasons, such...
  • Waning influence of OPEC+ in spotlight as prices flag

    Founded in 1960, the 13-member OPEC cartel in 2016 partnered up with 10 other producers to form OPEC+ to gain more clout. But the group's enlargement has proven to be "a double-edged sword", noted Ozkardeskaya, with decision-making becoming more difficult.
  • Oil prices rise following Red Sea attacks

    Oil prices shot up three percent as more companies suspended shipping through the Red Sea following attacks on vessels by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. US stocks sought to continue last week's rally on expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next year, though it appears to have lost steam...
  • Saudi Arabian GDP declines by 4.4 percent in Q3 2023

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 4.4 percent year-on-year (YoY) in the third quarter of 2023, data issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) showed.  The real seasonally adjusted GDP eased 3.2 percent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) in the three-month period.  Non-oil activities increased...
  • Oman’s Producer Price Index down in Q3 2023

    Muscat, Oman - The Sultanate of Oman's producer price index (PPI) in Q3 2023 recorded a decrease of 13 percent compared to Q3 2022, according to data issued by the Omani National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The statement explained that the prices of oil and gas products decreased...
  • Oil prices stall ahead of U.S. stocks data, potential OPEC+ cuts

    Texas, US--Oil prices hardly moved during Asian trade on Wednesday as the market awaited potentially mixed news on the supply front, with the OPEC+ producers group expected to discuss output cuts and U.S. crude stocks forecast to show a big build-up. Brent crude futures fell 3 cents, or 0.04%, to...
  • LNG trade to grow 25% to 500m tons in 5 years: IEF

    According to a report "Fragile Equilibrium: LNG Trade Dynamics and Market Risks" China has surged ahead of Japan to become the world's largest LNG importer. The US became the top LNG exporter in 2023. The IEF's secretary general said that demand for LNG has grown and continues to "enhance energy...
  • Saudi inflation in Oct slightly down amid economic challenges

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's consumer price index experienced a slight decrease in October, dropping to 1.6 percent from 1.7 percent in September, according to the latest official data. The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) reported that this decrease in inflation was primarily due to a 0.8 percent reduction...
  • Egypt annual core inflation falls 1.6 percent in October

    Dubai, UAE--Egypt's annual core inflation rate decelerated by 1.6 percent in October, recording 38.1 percent, down from 39.7 percent in September, according to data released by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) on Sunday. The monthly core inflation rate rose to 1.8 percent in October compared to 1.1 percent in...
  • Dana Gas 9M net profit $126m

    Profitability dropped 22% due to lower realized prices.
  • Chevron Q3 profit falls

    Its earnings fell to US$6.5bn, down from $11.2bn last year.
  • Early economic measures tame Saudi inflation at 1.7% in Sept: GASTAT

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 1.7 percent in September 2023, compared to September 2022, down from 2 percent in August 2023. This stability is due to the early economic measures taken by the Kingdom to counter the global rise in inflation rates, the...
  • Oil prices climb up to highest level in a year

    The jump in oil prices came in the wake of a a surprising drop in US crude inventories. Oil prices have been trending higher following moves by Russia and Saudi Arabia to limit output. The US futures benchmark, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in November, jumped 3.6% to $93.68 per...
  • Global food prices drop in August: FAO

    Led by staples other than rice and sugar, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations revealed that its Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 121.4 points in August, down 2.1% from July and as much as 24% below...
  • Global rice prices hit 15-year high after India curbs: FAO

    Rice is a major world food staple and prices on international markets have soared in the wake of the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon on production levels. India announced in July a ban on exports of non-basmati white rice, which account for...
  • Oil prices climb to highest level in seven months on supply fears

    Dubai, UAE--Oil prices rose to their highest in over half a year and snapped a two-week losing streak, buoyed by expectations of tightening supplies. A Middle Eastern country is widely expected to extend a voluntary 1 million barrels per day oil production cut into October, prolonging supply curbs engineered by...
  • Oil prices spike on US stockpile draw and hurricane fears

    Dubai, UAE--Oil prices extended gains on Wednesday after industry data showed a large draw in crude inventories in the U.S., the world's biggest fuel consumer, and as concerns about a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico kept investors on edge. Brent crude futures for October climbed 31 cents, or 0.36%,...
  • Oil prices slide 1% on strong dollar, China economy worries

    Dubai, UAE--Oil prices declined more than 1% on Monday as concerns about China's faltering economic recovery and a stronger dollar weighed against seven weeks of gains on tightening supply from OPEC+ output cuts. Brent crude futures fell $1.07, or 1.2%, to $85.74 a barrel by 0631 GMT while U.S. West...
  • Oman annual inflation inches up to 0.69 percent in June

    Muscat, Oman--Oman annual inflation rate reached 0.69 percent by the end of June 2023, according to the monthly consumer price survey data issued by the Oman's National Center for Statistics and Information. The inflation rate was driven by the increase in most of the main groups that make up the...
  • Oil prices surge for 6th straight week as global supplies tighten

    Dubai, UAE--Oil prices soared more than a dollar a barrel on Friday to record a sixth consecutive week of gains, after top producers Saudi Arabia and Russia extended supply cuts through September, adding to undersupply concerns. Brent crude futures rose $1.10, or 1.3%, to settle at $86.24 a barrel, while...
  • ADNOC Gas H1 revenue $10.6bn

    The decline in revenue is due to lower gas prices.
  • Saudi Arabia posts budget deficit of US$1.41 billion in Q2 2023

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi Arabia posted a budget deficit of SAR5.3 billion ($1.41 billion) in the second quarter of 2023, the finance ministry said on Thursday. Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, recorded a budget surplus of almost $30 billion in 2022 as the high prices of the...
  • Egypt calls for renewal of Black Sea grain export deal

    MOSCOW, RUSSIA -  Egypt's president on Friday called on Russia and Ukraine to find "urgent solutions" to allow the resumption of Ukraine grain exports to Africa, after Moscow's withdrawal led to the collapse of a Black Sea pact. The Ukraine grain deal was agreed last year and allowed around 33 million...
  • ExxonMobil Q2 profits $7.9bn

    Profits fell on lower refining margins, natural gas prices.
  • Prices for utilities, fuels rise 9 percent in June in Saudi Arabia

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Prices for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels in the Kingdom rose by 9.1 percent overall in June compared with the same month last year, government data showed on Sunday. Restaurant and hotel prices went up by 4.3 percent and education up by 3 percent,...
  • Kuwait 2023-24 draft budget estimates $22.2 billion deficit

    Lower oil prices and volumes attributed to the estimated deficit, according to a newspaper report. MP Osama Al-Zaid said the draft budget estimates oil revenues of 17 billion dinars, a 19.5 percent decrease from the previous budget.
  • Global food bill will rise to US$1.98trn in 2023, up 1.5%: FAO

    According to a report by the FAO, the world food import bill is forecast to touch a new record this year, although it is estimated to grow at a much slower pace compared to last year. This at a time when surging world prices fueled by higher quotations for fruits,...
  • UK to scrap energy windfall tax if oil, gas prices drop further

    The UK government said it would scrap a windfall tax on the energy sector should oil and gas prices drop to historically-normal levels for a sustained period. The Energy Profits Levy, introduced after Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent oil and gas prices surging, increased tax on profits from North Sea...
  • Turkish inflation dips under 40% for first time in 16 months

    Consumer prices rose by 39.6 percent on an annual basis and were almost stable, at 0.04 percent, compared to the previous month, according to the country's statistics agency. However, these official figures -- the first since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was re-elected on May 28 -- are challenged by independent...
  • Renewable power capacity to rapidly expand, IEA report reveals

    PARIS, FRANCE - Renewable power capacity is expected to jump by a third this year globally as growing policy momentum, higher fossil fuel prices and energy security concerns drive expansion of solar and wind power, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said. The growth is set to continue next year with...
  • IEA says renewable energy capacity to increase at record level in 2023

    PARIS, FRANCE -  Renewable power capacity will grow by a record number this year as high fossil fuel prices and energy security concerns fueled the deployment of solar and wind systems, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday. Global additions of renewable energy capacity are expected to rise by 107 gigawatts...
  • Egypt’s headline inflation slows to 30.6% in April, first such drop in 9 months

    Cairo, Egypt--Egypt's annual urban consumer inflation in April dipped to 30.6% from 32.7% in March, data from the state statistics agency CAPMAS showed on Wednesday Month-on-month, urban inflation slowed to 1.7% from 2.7% in March and 6.5% in February. Inflation had steadily crept up over the last year after a...
  • Dana Gas posts fall in profit

    Its net profit fell 7 percent to US$50 million in Q1 of 2023.
  • Iran reports 32% increase in wheat output in April and May

    Tehran, Iran--Iran has reported a large increase in its purchases of domestically-grown wheat in the months of April and May. Saeid Raad, CEO of Government Trading Corporation (GTC) of Iran, said on Saturday that wheat purchases in seven provinces with warm climate in south and southeastern Iran had reached some...
  • Collective action required for food security, says FAO

    MIYAZAKI, JAPAN  -  With hunger levels rising and food prices soaring in most of the world, collective actions are necessary for immediate and long-term global food security objectives, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Sunday. Director-General of FAO Qu Dongyu made the remarks at the G7 Ministers of Agriculture...
  • US inflation now ‘broad-based,’ top Fed official says

    Signaling its resolve to keep fighting price rises, the US central bank has said that interest rates may need to increase further, and remain high, to control inflation. The Fed has raised its benchmark lending rate nine times in a row to tackle inflation, which remains well above its long-term...