عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Oil Prices Rally, Stocks Mixed after Trump's Latest Iran Threat

FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and a 3D printed oil pipeline are seen in this illustration taken March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and a 3D printed oil pipeline are seen in this illustration taken March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo
TT
TT

Oil Prices Rally, Stocks Mixed after Trump's Latest Iran Threat

FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and a 3D printed oil pipeline are seen in this illustration taken March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and a 3D printed oil pipeline are seen in this illustration taken March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo

Oil prices rose Tuesday while equities were mixed as investors assessed Donald Trump's latest deadline for Iran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz or be "decimated".

As the Middle East war entered its sixth week, the US president warned Tehran that its civilian infrastructure would be destroyed if it did not let ships through the waterway, through which a fifth of global crude and gas passes.

The remarks came as he and Iran said a proposal touted by international mediators for a 45-day ceasefire was not yet ready, AFP reported.

Trump told a news conference that "the entire country" of Iran "could be taken out in one night and that night might be tomorrow night", if his ultimatum to reopen the Strait by 0000 GMT Wednesday was not met.

"We have a plan... where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o'clock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again," Trump said, brushing aside accusations that such a move would be a war crime.

"I mean complete demolition by 12 o'clock, and it'll happen over a period of four hours -- if we wanted to."

The threat came after a profanity-laced social media post on Easter Sunday in which he vowed Iran would be "living in Hell" if it didn't reopen the Strait.

Tehran said that if such an attack went ahead, it would retaliate by striking energy infrastructure in the Gulf, which could deal a further blow to already thin oil supplies and hammer the global economy.

Both main oil contracts rose Tuesday, with West Texas Intermediate topping $115 -- its highest in a month -- and Brent sitting around $111.

Equity markets fluctuated, with Tokyo, Singapore, Manila and Jakarta down while Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Wellington and Taipei rose. Hong Kong was closed for a holiday.

That followed a positive start to the week on Wall Street.

"Financial markets are oscillating in a narrow, uneasy range as traders sized up the countdown to Donald Trump's Iran deadline," wrote Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management.

"Tentative ceasefire optics (were) offering brief relief but never fully offsetting the lingering risk of escalation," he added.

"For now, the rhetoric has tightened, the threats sharpened, and yet the market is not capitulating, conditioned by repetition to expect de-escalation just before the edge.

"Traders are no longer reacting to what is said, but to when it is usually walked back."

The hit to fuel supplies from the Middle East has forced governments around the world to unveil economic support measures amid fears of another spike in inflation.

On Tuesday, the Philippines said inflation jumped to a forecast-topping 4.1 percent in March, its highest level in nearly two years.

US figures last week showed growth in the country's services activity cooled last month as companies monitored the higher energy prices and braced for supply chain disruptions.

In company news, Samsung rallied around one percent after estimating first-quarter profit soared 755 percent to an all-time high of $37.9 billion thanks to strong sales of chips crucial for artificial intelligence.

It also said sales were expected to surge 68 percent on-year to hit $88 billion in January-March.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

Saudi Transport Authority: Maritime Sector Proved Resilient Amid Global Trade Disruptions

Transport General Authority President Fawaz Alsahli tours the exhibition held alongside the conference in Jeddah (Transport General Authority)
Transport General Authority President Fawaz Alsahli tours the exhibition held alongside the conference in Jeddah (Transport General Authority)
TT
TT

Saudi Transport Authority: Maritime Sector Proved Resilient Amid Global Trade Disruptions

Transport General Authority President Fawaz Alsahli tours the exhibition held alongside the conference in Jeddah (Transport General Authority)
Transport General Authority President Fawaz Alsahli tours the exhibition held alongside the conference in Jeddah (Transport General Authority)

Saudi Arabia’s maritime sector has remained resilient amid disruptions to global trade and shipping in 2026, with the kingdom weathering the upheaval with limited impact on the sector.

Essam Alammari, Deputy for Maritime at the Saudi Transport general authority, told Asharq Al-Awsat that integration across the kingdom’s maritime, road, rail and air transport networks had strengthened its ability to navigate regional and international challenges and maintain maritime operations.

Alammari spoke on the sidelines of the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress 2026, which opened Wednesday in Jeddah under the patronage of Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser and Transport General Authority President Fawaz Alsahli.

The event brought together officials, experts and representatives of shipping companies, ports and logistics service providers from Saudi Arabia and abroad.

National strategy

"We were affected like other countries around the world, but thanks to the efforts of Saudi men and women, government support and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, we were able to demonstrate the sector's resilience," Alammari said.

He stressed the importance of integrating different modes of transport to strengthen the kingdom's logistics network.

Alammari said Saudi Arabia's maritime fleet grew 34% in 2025, with its current carrying capacity reaching approximately 11.8 million tons.

He said the kingdom ranked first in the Middle East and 20th globally in terms of national fleet carrying capacity.

Saudi Arabia also ranked second among Group of 20 (G20) countries in maritime sector growth in 2025, he added, reflecting progress toward the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.

2026 indicators

On the maritime transport sector's performance this year, Alammari said final figures were not yet available because sector indicators are released annually. He expected the results by the end of 2026.

He said Saudi Arabia's maritime economy had seen significant activity recently and expressed optimism about the upcoming annual results and progress toward the sector's targets.

Alammari linked the sector's ability to withstand global disruptions to efforts under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, a key initiative supporting Saudi Vision 2030.

He reiterated that integration across maritime, road, rail and air transport had strengthened the logistics network's resilience.

International maritime conference

The two-day conference at the Jeddah Superdome is examining the future of maritime trade, shifts in international shipping routes, port competitiveness, investment in maritime infrastructure, supply chain continuity, maritime security and digital transformation.

It is also highlighting growth opportunities in Saudi Arabia's maritime sector and the role of investment and public-private partnerships in developing maritime and logistics services and strengthening the kingdom's position in regional and global trade.

 

Business

Private Sector Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Growth Lead Among G20 Economies

A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
TT
TT

Private Sector Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Growth Lead Among G20 Economies

A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)

Fueled by a surging private sector and expanding non-oil industries, Saudi Arabia is poised to become the G20’s fastest-growing economy in 2027, overtaking India, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts released last week.

The IMF expects the Saudi economy to grow by 7.9%, ahead of India’s projected 7%, highlighting the Kingdom’s economic transformation as regulatory and legislative reforms unlock new investment opportunities.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment said the forecast underscores the economy’s strength and resilience while opening new avenues for investment and growth.

Momentum in the private sector and the expansion of non-oil activities are helping steer the Kingdom toward a more diversified, sustainable and investment-friendly economy, it said.

The IMF sharply raised its forecast for Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 7.9%, from 5.5% in July, an upward revision of 2.4 percentage points that reflects prospects for recovery from the fallout of war and disruptions to trade and energy markets.

The outlook also highlights the structural transformation underway through Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as non-oil sectors take on a greater role in driving growth and strengthening the economy against global headwinds.

The focus now shifts to whether the Kingdom can sustain that momentum and turn rapid expansion into lasting investment opportunities and jobs.

New sectors drive growth

Saudi Arabia’s projected lead among G20 economies signals a deeper structural shift away from its traditional reliance on oil revenues, according to Fahad Binjumah, an economist and former member of the Saudi Shura Council.

The private sector is emerging as a major engine of growth, bolstered by regulatory and legislative reforms, expanding investment opportunities and the rising contribution of non-oil industries.

Binjumah told Asharq Al-Awsat that the shift marks Saudi Arabia’s gradual transition from direct government stimulus toward a more diversified and productive economy capable of generating growth.

Major government investments have helped lay the groundwork, creating a stronger business environment and opening new sectors to local and foreign investors, he explained.

Strategic projects in tourism, industry, logistics and technology are also generating economic activity well beyond their immediate scope. Investment spending is rippling through supply chains and small and medium-sized businesses, widening commercial opportunities and drawing more parts of the economy into the growth cycle.

But for Binjumah, topping the G20 growth rankings is less important than sustaining that performance over the coming years.

"The main challenge is to turn economic expansion into long-term productivity gains by improving the efficiency of domestic businesses, boosting non-oil exports, developing skills and increasing private investment independent of government spending," he stressed.

Progress on those fronts would propel Saudi Arabia into a more advanced stage of economic diversification, where success is measured not simply by rapid growth but by a more resilient, competitive economy that generates added value and sustainable jobs, he added.

Reforms bolster economic resilience

Saudi Arabia’s rise in G20 growth projections is the product of years of economic reform, not a short-lived boost in any single sector, said Nasser Al-Sahli, president of the Saudi Governance Center.

Legislative changes, easier business procedures, wider investor participation and the restructuring of key sectors have made the economy more attractive to investment and better equipped to turn capital into productive activity, Al-Sahli told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The private sector’s expanding role shows that these reforms are increasingly translating into tangible economic gains, he said.

Their importance has grown amid geopolitical tensions, global trade and energy disruptions, and risks surrounding strategic maritime routes in the region. A broader non-oil economic base is helping Saudi Arabia diversify its income sources and reduce its exposure to external shocks.

"Economic diversification does not mean complete isolation from global developments, but building a productive and investment system capable of adapting to them and maintaining business continuity under different conditions," Al-Sahli said.

The next test will be whether Saudi Arabia’s private sector can move beyond capitalizing on opportunities created by government projects to driving investment expansion independently and sustainably, he went on to say.

That will require stronger productivity and competition, better access to financing, greater innovation and a larger international footprint for Saudi companies.

Al-Sahli said the real significance of Saudi Arabia’s projected G20 lead lies not in the ranking itself but in its ability to turn growth momentum into a more diversified and efficient economy, powered by a private sector that creates high-quality jobs and lasting economic value.

How G20 economies rank

India is forecast to rank second in G20 economic growth in 2027 at 7%, followed by Indonesia at 5.1%, China at 4% and Türkiye at 3.6%, according to IMF figures presented by the Saudi Ministry of Investment.

Argentina ranks sixth at 3.5%, followed by South Korea at 2.8% and the United States at 2.3%. Brazil is projected to grow by 1.9%, Mexico by 1.8%, Canada by 1.7%, Australia by 1.6%, South Africa by 1.3% and the United Kingdom by 1.2%. Germany is forecast to expand by 1.1% and Russia by 0.9%, while France and Japan are each expected to grow by 0.7%.

Business

Saudi Arabia Leads G20 with 7.9% Growth Forecast in 2027

King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Leads G20 with 7.9% Growth Forecast in 2027

King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia is projected to lead the G20 countries in economic growth forecasts for 2027, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates. The IMF projects the Kingdom's real GDP to grow by 7.9 percent, the highest rate among the group's economies, as shown in data published by the Saudi Ministry of Investment.

The Fund had previously raised its projections for the Kingdom's real GDP growth to 7.9 percent, compared to 5.5 percent in its July estimates, an increase of 2.4 percentage points.

This revision comes amid expectations of economic activity regaining momentum as regional conflict-related disruptions subside, and oil production and exports gradually return to normal levels.

India ranked second among G20 countries with a projected growth rate of 7 percent, followed by Indonesia at 5.1 percent, then China at 4 percent, and Türkiye at 3.6 percent, according to IMF data reviewed by the Ministry.

Argentina came in sixth with projected growth of 3.5 percent, followed by South Korea at 2.8 percent, then the United States at 2.3 percent. Projections for Brazil stood at 1.9 percent, Mexico at 1.8 percent, Canada at 1.7 percent, Australia at 1.6 percent, South Africa at 1.3 percent, and the United Kingdom at 1.2 percent.

Germany registered projected growth of 1.1 percent, Russia 0.9 percent, while projections for France and Japan were 0.7 percent each, with Italy coming in last at 0.6 percent.

Growth Forecasts Revised

In an assessment of the recovery path, the Fund noted that the diversification of Saudi energy export routes limits the Kingdom's vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions compared to some regional economies. This is due to the the East-West Pipeline's ability to divert some oil exports to Yanbu Port on the Red Sea, away from the Strait of Hormuz.

The IMF's estimates align with the World Bank's projections, which also raised its forecast for Saudi economic growth in 2027 to 7.9 percent, compared to 4.9 percent in its April estimates, while anticipating a 2 percent contraction in GDP during 2026.

Globally, the IMF expects the world economy to grow by 3.1 percent in 2026 before rising to 3.4 percent in 2027, placing Saudi Arabia's growth forecast at more than double the projected global rate for the coming year.

The Saudi Ministry of Investment said that the Kingdom’s leading growth outlook among G20 countries reflects the strength and resilience of its economy and opens up broader prospects for investment and growth.

This is supported by strong private-sector momentum and the expansion of non-oil activities, reinforcing the Kingdom’s shift toward a more diversified, sustainable, and investment-friendly economy.