Kuwait’s inflation edges up to 2.39%

Food prices helped with the inflation rise. Getty
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Updated 08 December 2025
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Kuwait’s inflation edges up to 2.39%

RIYADH: Kuwait’s inflation rate inched higher in August according to newly released figures, as rising food and beverage costs pushed the annual figure to 2.39 percent, marking a 0.07 percent increase compared to the previous month.

Citing data from the country’s Central Statistical Bureau, Kuwait News Agency reported that higher prices in other key sectors, including health, clothing, and housing services, as well as household furnishings, communications, and education, contributed to the annual rise in inflation.

The latest analysis follows signs of economic recovery, after the country’s economy returned to positive territory in the first quarter of 2025, recording a 1 percent year-on-year increase, following seven consecutive quarters of contraction, the Central Bank of Kuwait said in July.

In September, the International Monetary Fund echoed similar views, noting that Kuwait’s economy is on a steady recovery in 2025. The IMF added that headline consumer price index inflation is projected to ease to 2.2 percent in 2025, down from 2.9 percent in 2024.

“Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics showed that the consumer price index (inflation) increased locally by 2.39 percent by the end of last August on an annual basis,” said Kuwait News Agency.

According to the report, food and beverage prices rose 6.02 percent year on year, while clothing and health expenses increased 3.11 percent and 2.77 percent, respectively.

In August, costs for household furnishings rose by 3.08 percent, followed by prices for restaurants and hotels at 1.86 percent and recreation and culture at 1.61 percent.

Conversely, transport costs fell by 1.75 percent in August compared with the same month the previous year.

Excluding food and beverages, inflation in Kuwait increased by 1.53 percent year on year and 0.07 percent month on month in August, the news agency added.

In September, Fitch Ratings reaffirmed Kuwait’s AA- long-term foreign currency rating with a stable outlook, citing its strong fiscal position and external balance sheet.

The US-based agency noted that the country’s external balance sheet remains the strongest among all Fitch-rated sovereigns, with net foreign assets projected to rise to 607 percent of gross domestic product in 2025, up from an estimated 576 percent in 2024.

Earlier this month, S&P Global reported that Kuwait’s Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 53.4 from 52.8 in October, marking a four-month high and signaling a solid improvement in non-oil business conditions.

The expansion was driven by the strongest increase in new orders since June, supported by aggressive marketing and competitive pricing.


Saudi Maaden reports 156% surge in annual net profit to $2bn on strong commodity prices and record production

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Saudi Maaden reports 156% surge in annual net profit to $2bn on strong commodity prices and 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.