Qatar’s August inflation drops 0.58% as key sectors see price softening 

The figures were released by Qatar’s Planning and Statistics Authority. Shutterstock.
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Updated 21 September 2023
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Qatar’s August inflation drops 0.58% as key sectors see price softening 

RIYADH: Qatar’s consumer price index experienced a monthly decline of 0.58 percent in August, reaching 106.25 points, according to the country’s Planning and Statistics Authority.   

The data showed CPI decreased in six groups, rose in three and remained unchanged in three. 

Among them, recreation and culture experienced a 3.37 percent drop in August compared to July.  

The transport sector softened by 1.65 percent, and clothing and footwear fell 0.99 percent.   

The housing and utilities sectors also declined by 0.79 percent, while miscellaneous goods and services dropped by 0.14 percent.   

A similar trend was observed in the prices of restaurants and hotels, with a slight fall of 0.13 percent.   

However, the food and beverages sector recorded an increase of 1.46 percent, followed by education, which rose by 1.62 percent. The furniture and household equipment sector grew by 0.11 percent.  

In contrast, the tobacco, healthcare, and communication sectors showed no change compared to July. 

Moreover, the country’s CPI witnessed a 2.38 percent surge compared to the same month last year. 

On a year-on-year basis, communication costs in August surged 15.85 percent compared to the year-ago period, followed by a 7.91 percent rise in recreation and culture, 5.7 percent in education and 2.33 percent in furniture and household equipment. 

Additionally, the transport sector saw a year-on-year price increase of 1.85 percent. The housing, water, electricity, other fuel, food and beverages, and health sectors saw price escalations. 

Conversely, there were dips in restaurants and hotels by 4.59 percent in August compared to the same month last year. Clothing, footwear, miscellaneous goods, and services also saw yearly declines, while tobacco remained steady. 

Kuwait CPI rose 0.15% in August  

Kuwait recorded a 0.15 percent monthly increase in its CPI in August, mainly driven by a surge in food, education and clothing prices. 

The inflation figure also saw a 3.82 percent increase in August compared to the same month last year. 

According to data from the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics, food and beverages saw a 5.7 percent yearly increase in August, while the clothing sector saw a 6.97 percent surge. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index extends gains as market opens wider to foreign investment

Updated 02 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index extends gains as market opens wider to foreign investment

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Monday, gaining 153.61 points, or 1.38 percent, to close at 11,321.09.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.85 billion ($1.56 billion), as 207 of the listed stocks advanced, while 55 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul Index increased, up 21.20 points or 1.41 percent, to close at 1,524.18.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 278.13 points, or 1.17 percent, to close at 24,013.03. This comes as 43 of the listed stocks advanced, while 29 retreated.

The best-performing stock was Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Appliances Corp., with its share price surging by 7.26 percent to SR28.94.

Other top performers included Rasan Information Technology Co., which saw its share price rise by 6.51 percent to SR144, and Knowledge Economic City, which saw a 6.25 percent increase to SR13.09.

On the downside, the worst performer of the day was Najran Cement Co., whose share price fell by 2.11 percent to SR6.49.

Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. and Saudi Cable Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 2 percent and 1.88 percent to SR103.10 and SR166.80, respectively.

On the announcement front, Riyad Bank has announced its annual financial results for 2025, with the total income from special commission of financing reaching SR24.1 billion, while net income from special commission of financing amounted to SR12 billion.

In a statement on Tadawul, the bank said: “Net income increased by 11.7 percent mainly due to an increase in total operating income and a decrease in total operating expenses.”

The bank further noted that the rise in total operating income was primarily driven by increased revenue from fees and commissions, trading activities, special commissions, gains on non-trading investments, and other operating sources. This growth was partially tempered by declines in exchange and dividend income.

“Net provision of expected credit losses and other losses decreased by 15.8 percent due to a decrease in impairment charge of credit losses and impairment charge for other financial assets, partially offset by an increase in impairment charge for investments,” it added.

RIBL’s share price closed at SR18.18 on the main market, marking a 1.43 percent increase.