News
Who gains in an AI-supercharged economy?
2+ hour, 36+ min ago (215+ words) At Vanguard, we anticipate 3 percent growth in US gross domestic product for 2027, an estimate that is noticeably higher than other professional forecasts, implying continued strong support for risk assets. Such growth will not represent an incremental improvement but rather a…...
Pakistan government debt growth falls to 15-year low indicating lower risk, better management " official
17+ hour, 5+ min ago (409+ words) KARACHI: Pakistan's government debt growth slowed down to its lowest in 15 years in the fiscal year 2025-26 ending in June, the country's finance adviser said on Friday, reflecting improved fiscal management and lower risks to the economy. Pakistan has long relied…...
Saudi Arabia's trade surplus more than doubles in April to $6. 8bn
2+ day, 11+ hour ago (580+ words) RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's trade surplus more than doubled to SR25. 43 billion ($6. 79 billion) in April as rising oil exports and lower imports strengthened the Kingdom's external balance, official data showed." The surplus increased 100. 8 percent from a year earlier, according to preliminary data…...
Pakistan seeks Canadian help on canola to cut $5 billion edible oil import bill
1+ week, 15+ hour ago (357+ words) KARACHI: Pakistan is seeking to expand cooperation with Canada on canola cultivation and agricultural technology as it looks to boost domestic oilseed production and reduce an annual edible oil import bill of up to $5 billion, a statement said on Friday....
Saudi retirement reforms could unlock long-term capital, Black Rock says
1+ week, 1+ day ago (1059+ words) RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has an opportunity to turn retirement savings into a new source of long-term capital that could deepen financial markets and support economic diversification, according to a report by Black Rock." The world's largest asset manager said expanding…...
GCC investment-grade debt spreads return to pre-war levels, Fitch says
1+ week, 3+ day ago (586+ words) RIYADH: Investment-grade bond and sukuk spreads in the Gulf Cooperation Council have returned to levels seen before the US-Iran conflict'as easing geopolitical tensions reduced risk premiums, although borrowing costs remain elevated, Fitch Ratings said.' The yield spread between the S…...
Pakistan posts $459 million current account surplus as FY26 balance turns positive
1+ week, 3+ day ago (273+ words) KARACHI: Pakistan recorded a current account surplus of $459 million in May, the central bank said on Wednesday, reversing a deficit of $276 million in April and extending the improvement in the country's external position ahead of the new fiscal year. The…...
IMF sees Oman economy holding firm despite Middle East war
1+ week, 4+ day ago (412+ words) RIYADH: Oman's economy has shown resilience despite'the war affecting the Middle East, with the International Monetary Fund upgrading its growth forecast for the country'by 0. 2 percentage points. Releasing its assessment of Oman's economic outlook amid continued regional conflict after a staff…...
Fitch says Pakistan budget reflects commitment to fiscal discipline under IMF program
1+ week, 4+ day ago (358+ words) ISLAMABAD: Global ratings agency Fitch said on Tuesday that Pakistan's budget for FY27 reflects a clear commitment from Islamabad to fiscal discipline under the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) $7 billion loan program, warning that the country remains vulnerable to inflation." Pakistan unveiled…...
Central bank gold appetite hits record as Middle East risks sharpen focus
1+ week, 4+ day ago (1257+ words) RIYADH: Gold is becoming an increasingly deliberate component of central bank reserve strategies as geopolitical tensions, concerns over the concentration of assets in the US dollar, and questions surrounding the resilience of traditional holdings reshape official-sector thinking, analysts told Arab…...