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Israeli Shekel Falls to Almost 8-year Low

New Israeli Shekel banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File photo Acquire Licensing Rights
New Israeli Shekel banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File photo Acquire Licensing Rights
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Israeli Shekel Falls to Almost 8-year Low

New Israeli Shekel banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File photo Acquire Licensing Rights
New Israeli Shekel banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File photo Acquire Licensing Rights

The Israeli shekel fell to an almost eight-year low against the US dollar on Monday as conflict in the Middle East escalates.

Fighters from Hamas killed 700 Israelis and abducted dozens more as they attacked Israeli towns on Saturday.

In response, Israeli air strikes hit housing blocks, tunnels, a mosque and homes of Hamas officials in Gaza on Sunday.

According to Reuters, the currency pair is not particularly active during Asian hours.

The shekel was last down more than 3% against the dollar at 3.9581.

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S&P Upgrades Oman’s Credit Rating with 'Stable Outlook'

A gas production field in the Sultanate of Oman. (Reuters)
A gas production field in the Sultanate of Oman. (Reuters)
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S&P Upgrades Oman’s Credit Rating with 'Stable Outlook'

A gas production field in the Sultanate of Oman. (Reuters)
A gas production field in the Sultanate of Oman. (Reuters)

Global credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) upgraded Oman’s credit rating to ‘BBB-’ with a stable outlook, hoping the country’s public finances will continue to strengthen.
“The outlook on the long-term ratings is stable,” the agency said.
The stable outlook balances the potential benefits of the government's fiscal and economic reform program against the economy's structural susceptibility to adverse oil price shocks.
S&P also noted that Oman’s fiscal position remains highly dependent on oil price movements, but resilience against shocks has strengthened.
Oil prices settled higher on Friday but fell on the week as investors weighed expectations for higher global supply against fresh stimulus from top crude importer China.
Brent crude futures settled up 38 cents, or 0.53%, at $71.89 per barrel. Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled up 51 cents, or 0.75%, at $68.18.
On a weekly basis, Brent settled down around 3%, while WTI fell by around 5%.
In early May, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Oman’s near- to medium-term outlook is favorable and risks to the outlook are broadly balanced.
It expressed hope that a decline in oil prices and economic reforms would continue in the medium term.
On Saturday, S&P expressed optimism it could raise Oman’s ratings over the next two years if reforms lead to steady growth in Oman's GDP per capita supported by continued momentum in non-oil growth.
It then expected the government's fiscal and economic reform momentum will continue over 2024-2027 on condition of reducing external debt levels and accumulating liquid assets.
Last week, the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) reduced its repo rate for local banks by 50 basis points, bringing it down to 5.5% in line with other Gulf central banks’ decisions to cut their key interest rates after the Federal Reserve decreased US rates by half a percentage point.
S&P said it anticipates that the CBO will continue following the US Federal Reserve's interest rate policy.
The agency added, “We expect Oman will maintain its currency peg, supported by its accumulated government external assets of about 30% of GDP.”