Saudi PIF Operating Profit Doubles, Assets Hit $1.21 Trillion

The Public Investment Fund Tower at King Abdullah Financial District. (PIF)
The Public Investment Fund Tower at King Abdullah Financial District. (PIF)
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Saudi PIF Operating Profit Doubles, Assets Hit $1.21 Trillion

The Public Investment Fund Tower at King Abdullah Financial District. (PIF)
The Public Investment Fund Tower at King Abdullah Financial District. (PIF)

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has put its 2025 financial performance under the spotlight of global markets, publishing its audited consolidated financial statements on the London Stock Exchange in a move that reinforces its role as a driver of economic transformation and a global investor across continents.

The figures revealed an exceptional year for the fund. Net profit surged 152% to $17.36 billion, or 65.1 billion riyals, while total assets rose 5% to nearly $1.21 trillion, or 4.54 trillion riyals.

The jump was not simply the result of market swings. It reflected a flexible expansion strategy that balanced investment in future sectors, such as artificial intelligence through the launch of HUMAIN, with major domestic development projects, including Riyadh Expo 2030.

It also came alongside innovative green financing tools that strengthened foreign investor confidence in the fund’s financial position and long-term sustainability.

Operational efficiency drives record profit

The consolidated financial statements showed a sharp year-on-year improvement in profitability, mainly driven by stronger earnings from associates and a 9% drop in the fund’s administrative expenses. The decline pointed to higher operating efficiency and tight spending discipline.

Operating profit climbed to $20.8 billion, or 77.9 billion riyals, from $9.2 billion, or 34.6 billion riyals, in 2024, marking growth of more than 120%.

The gains were supported by a 9% increase in total revenue to $119.73 billion, or 449 billion riyals, from 413 billion riyals a year earlier, reflecting continued portfolio growth and stronger returns.

That performance fed directly into net profit for 2025, which jumped 152% to $17.36 billion, or 65.1 billion riyals, from 25.8 billion riyals in 2024. The result was more than double the previous year’s level.

The fund also maintained a high level of cash and cash equivalents, exceeding $93.33 billion, or more than 350 billion riyals, underscoring its ability to keep executing its investment strategy.

Asset growth and 2030 ambitions

The strong results come as the fund continues to expand its asset and investment base at speed. Assets have risen from about 720 billion riyals in 2017 to 4.54 trillion riyals, or $1.21 trillion, by the end of last year. The fund is targeting 10 trillion riyals by 2030, according to the Saudi Vision 2030 annual report.

The growth aligns with the fund’s new 2026-2030 strategy, announced at the start of this year. The strategy aims to shift from building strategic sectors to integrating economic ecosystems and accelerating growth. It places the private sector as a partner in creating value, not merely an implementer of projects, in line with the third phase of Vision 2030 and the push for deeper long-term investment partnerships.

PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan said the new strategy marked “a natural progression” from a phase of growth and expansion to a new phase focused on sustainable value, greater impact and higher investment efficiency.

He said the fund would transform the 13 strategic sectors in earlier plans into six integrated economic ecosystems built around companies with clear objectives. The focus would be on strengthening financial returns, maintaining investment efficiency, and continuously assessing the performance of investments and projects.

Under this vision, the fund’s investments are spread across three main portfolios: the Vision Portfolio, the Strategic Investments Portfolio and the Financial Investments Portfolio.

Backing future sectors

In future sectors, the fund moved in 2025 to accelerate artificial intelligence and advanced technologies through the launch of HUMAIN. The company invests across the AI value chain, including infrastructure, data centers, cloud capabilities, advanced models and applications.

To deepen that push, the fund signed a non-binding term sheet with Saudi Aramco under which Aramco would acquire a significant minority stake in HUMAIN, while PIF would retain the majority stake. The aim is to combine key assets and expand the company’s technical capabilities.

In future mobility and sustainability, Lucid Group, majority-owned by the fund, reported a 55% year-on-year rise in vehicle deliveries to 15,841 vehicles in 2025. The increase coincided with the launch of the Driving Force program in partnership with Formula E to expand science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, with a target of reaching more than 50,000 students in Saudi Arabia, the United States and the United Kingdom by the end of 2025.

Tourism and entertainment gain pace

On the domestic development front, the fund accelerated support for major local development and tourism projects while strengthening the wider economic ecosystem.

It launched Riyadh Expo 2030 Company to develop and operate the facilities of the first World Expo to be hosted by Saudi Arabia and to invest in those facilities over the long term. The project is expected to support sustainable tourism, create new opportunities for the private sector and boost its contribution to gross domestic product during construction, operation and beyond.

The year also brought major milestones in entertainment and luxury tourism. Qiddiya City announced the opening of the first Six Flags theme park outside North America, creating a distinctive destination in the kingdom. Red Sea Global also announced the official opening of AMAALA, its luxury coastal destination.

Alongside these major construction and development projects, the financial statements showed that the fund’s investment properties rose to $21.46 billion from $17.46 billion in 2024.

Green financing enters a new phase

The fund’s investment securities, valued at $576.4 billion, show a disciplined approach to diversifying risk by geography and currency to secure sustainable returns.

The Middle East and North Africa remained the largest exposure at $344.2 billion, followed by North American markets at $145.9 billion, European markets at $44.7 billion and Asian markets at $41.6 billion.

To support capital markets, the fund signed memorandums of understanding with global financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Franklin Templeton, to develop innovative investment strategies focused on the region.

In financing, the fund marked a new milestone with its first euro-denominated green bond issue, worth 1.65 billion euros. Demand was strong, with orders exceeding the amount offered by more than six times. The fund also launched its first commercial paper program as a short-term financing channel.

Private sector and local content

As part of its commitment to the domestic economy, the fund held the third edition of the PIF Private Sector Forum, bringing together portfolio companies and government entities to review opportunities in major projects.

The fund’s initiatives also continued to support localization, develop local suppliers and increase the private sector’s share in emerging projects. The aim is to ensure that the fund’s historic financial growth feeds directly into the structure of Saudi Arabia’s broader, more sustainable economy in the years ahead.

 



IEA to Speed up Oil Stocks Release Including Over 20 Million Barrels of Diesel

An aerial view shows the fuel depot of Aral at the Ruhr Oel petroleum refineries of BP Gelsenkirchen GmbH in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany on October 15, 2026. (AFP)
An aerial view shows the fuel depot of Aral at the Ruhr Oel petroleum refineries of BP Gelsenkirchen GmbH in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany on October 15, 2026. (AFP)
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IEA to Speed up Oil Stocks Release Including Over 20 Million Barrels of Diesel

An aerial view shows the fuel depot of Aral at the Ruhr Oel petroleum refineries of BP Gelsenkirchen GmbH in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany on October 15, 2026. (AFP)
An aerial view shows the fuel depot of Aral at the Ruhr Oel petroleum refineries of BP Gelsenkirchen GmbH in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany on October 15, 2026. (AFP)

The International Energy Agency agreed on Thursday to release over 20 million barrels of diesel to the market and any oil remaining from a record emergency reserves release pledged in March to boost supply and cool soaring prices.

US President Donald Trump has pressed European Union countries to draw down reserves or face a potential US diesel export ban as he seeks to lower prices ahead of November 3 midterm elections.

Diesel prices have surged to record highs in many markets due to disrupted supply ‌because of the ‌Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, posing inflation and cost-of-living threats ‌to ⁠governments and consumers.

The ⁠32-nation IEA's board met on Thursday to discuss the scale and timing of stock releases.

"The IEA governing board reaffirmed its commitment to continue delivering on the March 2026 Collective Action in response to the Strait of Hormuz crisis," it said in a statement after the meeting.

In March, countries had pledged to release more than 400 million barrels of crude and oil products as prices soared.

On Thursday, members "agreed to accelerate the release of the ⁠remaining volumes, with specific plans already in place, including over 20 ‌million barrels of diesel as soon as possible."

SOME ‌DISAPPOINTMENT OVER LACK OF EXTRA BARRELS

Reuters reported this month that EU governments were discussing a French ‌proposal for the release of 50 million barrels of diesel alongside 50 million ‌barrels of crude from IEA members.

"The IEA announcement is a step in the right direction, but falls short on the details the market was looking for," said Abhishek Kumar, an analyst at Sparta Commodities. "The 20+ million barrels of diesel appear to be an acceleration of existing commitments rather ‌than genuinely new volumes."

The IEA, which coordinates industrialized nations' releases of oil from emergency stocks, said some members had already released ⁠more than they ⁠pledged in March and that others planned to do so.

Members have released approximately 330 million barrels so far, the IEA said.

The US Energy Department said further IEA releases, with a focus on diesel, are under review and in progress, citing the IEA statement.

But the Trump administration "continues to hold European nations accountable for failing to fulfill their previous commitments to minimize supply disruptions in global energy markets and to help lower energy prices," the Energy Department spokesperson added.

The White House, when asked if it was unhappy with the IEA's commitment to draw down reserves, provided the IEA's statement from Thursday on the releases.

Spain said on Thursday it would release 4.4 million barrels from strategic reserves in October.

Spain has released 3.7 million of the 11.5 million barrels it pledged in March.


Al-Jadaan: Saudi Investments in Alternative Routes Ensure Continuity of Energy Supplies and Trade

General view of the Kingdom Tower in downtown Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 12, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS
General view of the Kingdom Tower in downtown Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 12, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS
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Al-Jadaan: Saudi Investments in Alternative Routes Ensure Continuity of Energy Supplies and Trade

General view of the Kingdom Tower in downtown Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 12, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS
General view of the Kingdom Tower in downtown Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 12, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the Kingdom’s investments in alternative routes have helped ensure the continuity of energy supplies and trade flows amid uncertainty.

He stressed that strengthening economic resilience requires diversifying sources of economic strength, protecting the foundations of growth, and maintaining the capacity to deal with recurring and prolonged disruptions.

Speaking at the third meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under the US presidency, held Thursday in Bangkok, Al-Jadaan said the global economy had demonstrated an ability to adapt to repeated disruptions. He explained that resilience is fundamental to this adaptability, but strengthening it requires an understanding of its cost, how it can be developed, and how it should be financed.

He said the success of economic policies in confronting shocks is not limited to mitigating the impact of current challenges. It also depends on preserving the ability to support future ambitions and sustain the long-term path of economic transformation, while maintaining sufficient buffers to deal with any new developments that may arise.

Al-Jadaan participates in one of the sessions at the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Bangkok (IMF)

The Finance Minister stressed that fiscal policies must protect the foundations of growth, highlighting the importance of effective international cooperation in achieving economic stability.

He said access to reliable and affordable energy, along with the uninterrupted flow of essential goods, helps contain price pressures and ease the burden on national budgets, thereby strengthening countries’ ability to navigate uncertainty.

In this context, Al-Jadaan said the Kingdom, through its investments in alternative routes, has helped ensure the continuity of energy supplies and trade flows amid disruptions. This underscores the importance of infrastructure and transportation and supply routes in strengthening economies’ ability to withstand shocks and limiting their impact on markets and the flow of essential goods.

Managing Shocks and Strengthening Resilience

Discussing ways to enhance economic resilience, Al-Jadaan said dealing with prolonged shocks depends not only on the size of the buffers available to countries, but also on how these buffers are managed over time, while preserving sufficient capacity to respond to future developments.

He noted that strengthening economic resilience requires reducing exposure to risks through economic diversification, reinforcing energy and food security, and developing more resilient supply chains and infrastructure. These priorities have become increasingly important amid recurring disruptions affecting trade flows, the availability of essential goods, and the cost of obtaining them.

Al-Jadaan also addressed artificial intelligence, noting that it has evolved beyond a purely technological issue to become part of a broader agenda aimed at achieving sustainable growth and strengthening economic resilience. This reflects the expanding scope of policies required to build economies capable of adapting to change while preserving opportunities for long-term growth and transformation.

The Role of International Financial Institutions

The Finance Minister emphasized the important role played by multilateral financial institutions in helping economies that are most vulnerable to risk cope with financing pressures through financial and technical support programs and policy advice, thereby strengthening their ability to withstand shocks and maintain economic stability.

Al-Jadaan concluded his participation in the third meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, held on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Thailand.

He met with a number of officials, heads of international financial institutions, and representatives of credit rating agencies. The meetings addressed developments in the global economy and policies aimed at supporting its stability, while also reviewing developments and reforms in the Saudi economy as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen its presence in international economic and financial dialogue.


Saudi Cybersecurity Market Tops $4.3 Billion in 2025

Employees working on computers (National Cybersecurity Authority). 
Employees working on computers (National Cybersecurity Authority). 
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Saudi Cybersecurity Market Tops $4.3 Billion in 2025

Employees working on computers (National Cybersecurity Authority). 
Employees working on computers (National Cybersecurity Authority). 

Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity market reached SAR 16.3 billion ($4.3 billion) in 2025, recording a compound annual growth rate of 10.7% over the past three years, according to a new report by the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA).

Government spending on cybersecurity products and services totaled SAR 5.1 billion, accounting for 31% of the market, while private sector expenditure reached SAR 11.2 billion, representing 69%.

The figures were released in the NCA’s report, Key Economic Indicators in Saudi Arabia’s Cybersecurity Sector 2026, which examines market size, the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product, workforce trends and other measures of growth.

Contribution to GDP

The cybersecurity sector contributed approximately SAR 20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP at current prices in 2025, registering a compound annual growth rate of 13.2%, the authority reported.

Of that amount, SAR 9.7 billion represented the direct contribution of cybersecurity products and service providers, while indirect contributions totaled SAR 10.3 billion.

The sector accounted for 0.42% of the Kingdom’s overall GDP and 0.71% of non-oil GDP.

The cybersecurity workforce exceeded 22,000 specialists last year, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%.

The report linked this expansion to specialized training initiatives and programs designed to meet the needs of vital sectors and support economic and social development.

Women accounted for 33% of cybersecurity professionals in Saudi Arabia, surpassing the global participation rate of approximately 22%.

Spending on products and services

Cybersecurity products accounted for 51% of total market spending, valued at SAR 8.3 billion, while services represented 49%, or SAR 7.9 billion.

The report identified key areas of spending, including endpoint security and management, cybersecurity systems integration, network security, data security and security operations solutions.

Public-private cooperation

The NCA highlighted efforts to strengthen competitiveness, encourage investment and innovation, and promote cooperation between the public and private sectors as key drivers of market growth.

The study classified cybersecurity offerings into 100 products and services, drawing on internationally recognized methodologies, standards and practices.

The NCA is Saudi Arabia’s designated cybersecurity authority and national reference body, tasked with protecting the Kingdom’s vital interests, national security, critical infrastructure, priority sectors, and government services and activities.

Its responsibilities also include stimulating industry growth, promoting innovation and investment, conducting research and development, and issuing periodic reports on cybersecurity at the national and sectoral levels.