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DMDF 2024 Explores Dynamics of Saudi Financial Market

A previous conference organized by the Saudi Financial Academy (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A previous conference organized by the Saudi Financial Academy (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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DMDF 2024 Explores Dynamics of Saudi Financial Market

A previous conference organized by the Saudi Financial Academy (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A previous conference organized by the Saudi Financial Academy (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Debt Markets and Financial Derivatives Forum (DMDF 2024), set to launch on Sunday in Riyadh, will focus on key principles aimed at exploring the dynamics of the Saudi financial market.
Organized by the Financial Academy, the forum will be held under the patronage of Mohammed El-Kuwaiz, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority and the Board of Trustees of the Financial Academy, with the participation of industry leaders, experts, and specialists from the financial securities sector.
The forum will examine emerging trends and insights from experts and CEOs in the financial sector, contributing to the mission of the Financial Academy, which aims to leverage its resources to provide high-level specialized services that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Mana bin Mohammed Al-Khamsan, CEO of the Financial Academy, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the forum comes in parallel with the Kingdom’s ongoing advancements, driven by Vision 2030, which seeks to achieve exceptional results across all areas, particularly the economic sector, a cornerstone of the country’s development.
Key Focus Areas
According to Al-Khamsan, the forum will address several major topics in the financial sector, including strategic partnerships with local and international exchanges, such as collaborations with the Saudi Tadawul Group and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. It will also include partnerships with renowned international organizations like the CFA Institute and the International Capital Market Association (ICMA).
He added that a central focus will be on the debt and derivatives markets, which are expected to experience significant growth in the near future due to recent legal and regulatory reforms. These markets will play a crucial role in diversifying financing sources and improving liquidity.
The CEO of the Financial Academy also noted that the debt and derivatives markets in Saudi Arabia are experiencing rapid growth, and are expected to play a vital role in expanding funding sources and enhancing liquidity over the next few years.
Additionally, the official anticipated a rise in foreign investments in the Saudi financial market due to an improved regulatory environment and increased confidence among international investors.
Future Outlook
According to Al-Khamsan, the forum will shed light on these transformations through panel discussions and dialogues centered on future trends and challenges facing these markets. It will also present innovative solutions to keep pace with global financial market developments.
The forum aims to deliver measurable outcomes by tracking the impact of the Financial Academy’s initiatives on career development within the sector and fostering the principles of continuous professional training across the Kingdom’s financial industry, he underlined.
Al-Khamsan continued that the forum seeks to raise awareness and facilitate the exchange of expertise on modern financial instruments and risk management, while solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading investment destination regionally and globally. This will be achieved through collaboration with prestigious local and international entities such as the Saudi Tadawul Group, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and the CFA Institute.

 

 

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Saudi Inflation Holds Steady in May as Rents Remain Key Driver

Aerial photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh (SPA) 
Aerial photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh (SPA) 
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Saudi Inflation Holds Steady in May as Rents Remain Key Driver

Aerial photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh (SPA) 
Aerial photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh (SPA) 

Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate remained stable at 2.2 percent in May 2025, maintaining a pace close to the 2.3 percent recorded in April. The continued stability in prices signals a relative balance in inflationary pressures, despite ongoing increases in housing costs.

This resilience comes amid global economic volatility, reflecting the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s fiscal and monetary policies, particularly in controlling energy and rental prices. The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) saw a slight uptick of just 0.1 percent.

According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the annual inflation rate for May was driven primarily by rising housing-related costs. Prices in the housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuel sector increased by 6.8 percent compared to the same period last year. Food and beverage prices climbed by 1.6 percent, while personal goods and services saw a 4 percent rise.

Residential rents remained the most significant contributor to inflation, continuing their upward trend and exerting substantial influence on the general index. Despite this, the Kingdom’s inflation rate remains among the lowest in the G20.

Commenting on the data, Dr. Abdullah Al-Jassar, a member of the Saudi Association for Energy Economics, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia’s inflation levels remain comparatively low on a global scale. He said the current rate reflects the flexibility and discipline of the national economy, noting that price increases have been modest and largely under control.

Al-Jassar attributed this to effective government policies that have helped shield both the market and consumers from external shocks.

He emphasized that the inflation observed is a result of real economic activity rather than external disruptions or internal imbalances. One of the most effective tools in curbing inflation, he said, has been the government’s decision to stabilize local energy prices, even as global oil prices surged. Since fuel plays a crucial role in the production, transport, and distribution of goods and services, this policy has prevented cost increases from spilling over into other sectors such as food, construction, and housing.

Al-Jassar described this approach as a “smart policy” that successfully absorbed global inflationary shocks before they reached the end consumer.

Although residential rents jumped 8.1 percent year-on-year, he noted that the rise was gradual and primarily driven by strong demand and limited supply. He also pointed out that the Saudi riyal’s peg to the US dollar has helped protect the economy from imported inflation and reduce the cost of importing goods.

Increased competition, tighter price monitoring, and the growing presence of e-commerce were also cited as factors contributing to market stability and limiting price manipulation across various sectors.

Looking ahead, Al-Jassar suggested inflation could see a slight increase in the second half of 2025, potentially rising to between 2.5 and 3 percent. He attributed this potential uptick to seasonal factors or changes in global commodity prices. Additionally, if the US Federal Reserve moves to cut interest rates, this could lead to looser monetary policy in Saudi Arabia, boosting liquidity and consumption—factors that might put upward pressure on prices. However, he stressed that there are currently no signs of any sharp or unexpected inflationary surges.

In April 2025, the inflation rate stood at 2.3 percent, also led by a 6.8 percent rise in housing and related costs. Food and beverages saw a 2.2 percent increase, while personal goods and services were up 3.5 percent.

Month-on-month data showed that while May’s CPI rose by just 0.1 percent, residential rents continued to rise, helping push housing-related prices up by 0.3 percent. Actual rents for residences alone increased by 0.4 percent. Food and beverages inched up by 0.1 percent, while personal goods and services rose by 0.5 percent. Tobacco prices edged up by 0.2 percent.