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SAMA’s Reserve Assets Reach Highest Levels Since 2022

The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)
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SAMA’s Reserve Assets Reach Highest Levels Since 2022

The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)

The total reserve assets of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) increased by 5.5 percent in June on an annual basis, to reach SAR 1.754 trillion ($467.5 billion), compared to SAR 1.66 trillion ($442 billion) in the same period of last year, recording their highest levels since November of 2022.
According to SAMA’s monthly statistical bulletin, reserve assets increased slightly on a monthly basis from SAR 1.752 trillion ($467 billion) in May, to SAR 1.754 trillion ($467.5 billion).
The value of financial investments abroad grew by approximately 7 percent, compared to the same period of 2023, to reach SAR 1.01 trillion ($269 billion) after amounting to SAR 950.87 billion ($253 billion), increasing by 1 percent on a monthly basis.
In contrast, reserve position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decreased by 10.7 percent compared to June 2023, recording SAR 13.3 billion ($3.5 billion).
Saudi reserve assets include investments in foreign securities, foreign exchange, deposits abroad, reserves with the International Monetary Fund, special drawing rights, and monetary gold.

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Gold Gains on Safe-haven Demand as Trump Expands Trade War

FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
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Gold Gains on Safe-haven Demand as Trump Expands Trade War

FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Gold prices rose for a third straight session on Friday, as US President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariffs on Canada and broader tariff threats against other trading partners lifted demand for the safe-haven asset.
Spot gold was up 0.5% to $3,339.99 per ounce, as of 0755 GMT. US gold futures gained 0.8% to $3,351.
"We're seeing some growing demand for gold as a haven. There are investors looking for some safety asset despite stock markets hitting highs. And any dip in gold is seen as a buying opportunity now," said Carlo Alberto De Casa, an external analyst at Swissquote.
On Thursday, Trump said US would impose a 35% tariff on imports from Canada and planned to impose blanket duties of 15% or 20% on most other trade partners, Reuters said.
This follows Wednesday's announcement of a 50% tariff on US copper imports and a similar levy on goods from Brazil, along with tariff notifications sent earlier to other trading partners.
Trump also said the European Union could receive a letter on tariff rates by Friday, throwing into question the progress of trade talks between Washington and the 27-nation bloc.
"Rising trade tensions have reinvigorated demand for haven assets such as gold amid the prospect of an economic slowdown. The more dovish Fed is also boosting investor appetite," analysts at ANZ wrote in a note.
Data on Thursday showed weekly jobless claims in the US fell unexpectedly to a seven-week low, indicating stable employment levels.
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller on Thursday reiterated his belief the central bank could cut interest rates at its policy meeting later this month.
Meanwhile, Fed Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly said two rate cuts remain on the table for this year.
Lower rates boost non-yielding gold's appeal.
Elsewhere, spot silver rose 0.9% to $37.37 per ounce, platinum fell 1% to $1,346.81 and palladium climbed 1.3% to $1,156.44.