Oman property market cools in February as deals drop 8.3% 

The value of sale contracts dropped 18.3 percent to 160.3 million rials, while the number of contracts declined 3.2 percent to 11,177, down from 11,543 in February 2024. Shutterstock
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Updated 20 April 2025
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Oman property market cools in February as deals drop 8.3% 

RIYADH: Oman’s property market saw a dip in activity in February, with total real estate transactions falling 8.3 percent year on year to 362.3 million Omani rials ($940.7 million), official data showed. 

According to figures from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, this compares to 394.9 million rials recorded during the same period in 2024, Oman News Agency reported.   

The moderation in activity comes amid tighter global financial conditions, shifting investor sentiment, and a gradual normalization of real estate markets across the Gulf following the post-pandemic surge in demand and pricing. 

Despite the broader slowdown in Oman’s real estate market, revenue from legal transaction fees rose 5.9 percent to 12.3 million rials, up from 11.6 million rials a year earlier. 

The value of sale contracts dropped 18.3 percent to 160.3 million rials, while the number of contracts declined 3.2 percent to 11,177, down from 11,543 in February 2024.  

Meanwhile, mortgage transactions edged up 1.8 percent to 200.1 million rials across 3,416 contracts, compared to 196.5 million rials across 2,989 contracts a year earlier. 

Exchange contracts dropped to 266, valued at 1.9 million rials, down from 299 contracts worth 2.2 million rials in the same period last year.  

In Oman’s real estate market, swap contracts—also known as real estate exchange agreements—are arrangements that enable two parties to trade property ownership with engaging in cash transaction.

The number of property titles issued rose slightly by 0.8 percent to 39,704, while those issued to Gulf Cooperation Council citizens increased by 7.1 percent to 227, compared to 212 in February 2024. 

The cooling follows a strong 2024, when Oman’s real estate sector surged 29.5 percent, with total transactions reaching 3.3 billion rials, driven by foreign investment and government-led reforms.  

During the first nine months of that year, the sector contributed 820.7 million rials to gross domestic product, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, as reported by Oman News Agency in February. 

The sector’s performance reflects broader regional momentum as Gulf countries press ahead with economic diversification strategies. 

In Saudi Arabia, real estate prices rose 3.6 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2024. Dubai saw a 30 percent jump in residential sales to $32.4 billion during the same period, while Qatar recorded 3,548 real estate transactions in 2024 totaling $3.97 billion. 

To support the sector, Oman has eased foreign ownership rules and introduced tax incentives aimed at attracting investment and boosting development across the sultanate. 


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.