Saudi economy to grow by 3.9% in 2024 as inflation stabilizes: OECD

The OECD revealed that Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate is expected to average 2.1 in 2024, a sign that the Kingdom is successfully combating price pressures. Shutterstock
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Updated 19 September 2023
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Saudi economy to grow by 3.9% in 2024 as inflation stabilizes: OECD

RIYADH: Affirming Saudi Arabia’s strong growth prospects in the near term, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development revealed that the Kingdom’s gross domestic product is expected to rise by 3.9 percent in 2024. 

The OECD revealed that Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate is expected to average 2.1 in 2024, a sign that the Kingdom is successfully combating price pressures. 

Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund echoed similar views and noted that Saudi Arabia has succeeded in maintaining its average consumer price index despite inflationary pressures faced by several countries across the globe. 

The report noted that Saudi Arabia will be among the few countries with economic growth above 3 percent in 2024. 

The OECD projected that the US and the UK could grow by 0.8 percent and 1.3 percent in 2024. 

On the other hand, the Australian economy could witness an economic growth of 1.3 percent and Brazil 1.7 percent. 

The OECD projected Japan’s economic growth at 1.8 percent in 2023 and 1 percent in 2024. 

China and India are some of the countries that are expected to surpass Saudi economic growth, expanding by 4.6 percent and 6 percent, respectively. 

The report added that the Saudi economy will grow by 1.9 percent in 2023 while the inflation rate will remain stable at 2.5 percent. 

In its report, the OECD revealed that the world economy is expected to grow by 3 percent and 2.7 percent in 2023 and 2024, respectively, while the inflation rate is expected to moderate. 

“Inflation is projected to moderate gradually over 2023 and 2024 but to remain above central bank objectives in most economies,” the OECD said in its report. 

“Headline inflation is declining, but core inflation remains persistent in many economies, held up by cost pressures and high margins in some sectors,” the report added. 

The European Central Bank had raised a key interest rate to a record high last week but hinted this might be its last hike. On the other hand, the US Federal Reserve is expected to pause its tightening campaign on Wednesday. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 10,912 

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Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 10,912 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Sunday, gaining 93.86 points, or 0.87 percent, to close at 10,912.18. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index stood at SR3.03 billion ($809 million), with 230 stocks advancing and 29 declining.  

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also gained 29.13 points, or 0.12 percent, to close at 23,442.91, as 43 stocks advanced and 25 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index added 9.48 points, or 0.65 percent, to end the session at 1,466.52.  

Arabian Shield Cooperative Insurance Co. was the best-performing stock of the day, with its share price surging 8.55 percent to SR11.94. 

Other top performers included CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co., which rose 6.33 percent to SR23.50, and BAAN Holding Group Co., whose shares climbed 6.06 percent to SR2.10.  

United International Holding Co. recorded the steepest decline, falling 2.34 percent to SR146.20. 

SEDCO Capital REIT Fund also saw its share price drop 2.17 percent to SR6.77, while Saudi Manpower Solutions Co. declined 1.58 percent to SR5.60.  

On the corporate front, Saudi Electricity Co. announced the completion of a US dollar-denominated senior unsecured sukuk issuance under its international sukuk program, offered to eligible investors in Saudi Arabia and globally. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the company completed the issuance of a three-tranche sukuk with maturities of three, six and 10 years, raising an aggregate $2.4 billion. The sukuk will be listed on the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market.  

Saudi Electricity Co. closed the session at SR14.09, down 0.57 percent. 

Najran Cement Co. said it has secured a mid-term, Shariah-compliant loan of SR50 million from Saudi National Bank to support subsidiary expansion. A bourse filing said the financing will be repaid over five years in semi-annual instalments, with a six-month grace period. 

Najran Cement Co. ended the session at SR6.59, up 0.92 percent. 

Almarai Co. announced its consolidated financial results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, reporting a net profit of SR2.45 billion, up 6.2 percent year on year. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the increase was driven by higher revenue growth, disciplined cost control, an improved revenue mix and lower funding costs. 

Almarai Co. closed at SR43.60, up 0.97 percent.