Saudi Arabia posts budget deficit of $3.3bn in Q1 2024

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Updated 12 May 2024
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Saudi Arabia posts budget deficit of $3.3bn in Q1 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil revenues rose by 9 percent to reach SR111.51 billion ($29.73 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023, the Ministry of Finance said.

In its quarterly budget performance report, the ministry said the Kingdom posted total revenues of SR293.43 billion in the same quarter, while its public spending amounted to SR305.82 billion.

According to official data, total revenues increased 4 percent as compared to Q1 of 2023.

In the first quarter of the current year, the Kingdom posted a budget deficit of SR12.39 billion with oil revenues reaching SR181.92 billion.

The report added that oil revenues rose 1.9 percent as compared to the first quarter of 2023.

Taxes on good and services amounted to SR69.9 billion up 11 percent compared to the first quarter of 2023, it showed.

Taxes collected from international trade and transactions rose 10 percent to reach SR6.03 billion as compared to Q1 of the previous year.

The Kingdom allocated SR26.79 billion for municipal services in the first quarter of 2024, up 157 percent as compared to the same period in 2023.

The Kingdom’s public debt increased to nearly SR1.11 trillion in Q1 2024, from SR1.05 trillion by the end of 2023.

The report showed that the Kingdom’s spending on the development of economic resources rose 8 percent to reach SR18.68 billion as compared to the same quarter in 2023.

Spending on public administration reached SR16.52 billion, a rise of 39 percent from Q1 of the previous year.

Military spending in the first quarter of 2024 was recorded at SR58.85 billion, a 16 percent decline from the same period in 2023.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 10,948 

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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 10,948 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Wednesday, gaining 35.85 points, or 0.33 percent, to close at 10,948.28. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR4.71 billion ($1.25 billion), as 185 of the listed stocks advanced, while 71 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index increased, up 2.60 points or 0.18 percent, to close at 1,470.16. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 9.84 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 23,368.02. This comes as 33 of the listed stocks advanced, while 36 retreated. 

The best-performing stock was Malath Cooperative Insurance Co., with its share price surging 10 percent to SR10.56. 

Other top performers included Walaa Cooperative Insurance Co., which saw its share price rise by 10 percent to SR11.66, and United Cooperative Assurance Co., which saw a 10 percent increase to SR3.96. 

On the downside, Nofoth Food Products Co. was the weakest performer of the day, with its shares falling 2.96 percent to SR9.50. 

Saudi Industrial Export Co. saw its shares fall 2.7 percent to SR2.52, while Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. declined 2.3 percent to SR106.20.