Bahrain's Mumtalakat Revenues Rise to USD6.1 Billion

Bahrain's Mumtalakat Revenues Rise to USD6.1 Billion
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Bahrain's Mumtalakat Revenues Rise to USD6.1 Billion

Bahrain's Mumtalakat Revenues Rise to USD6.1 Billion

Montelukast, the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain, has reported a growth in revenues from USD5.6 billion to USD6.1 billion (BHD2.1 billion to BHD2.3 billion).

Mumtalakat revealed Monday fiscal results of last year, saying that they reflected the strong operating and financial performance.

Operating income for the full-year climbed to BHD125 million (USD332.4 million), an increase of 211 percent, compared to 2018 when it was BHD40.2 million (USD106.9 million), the company said in a statement.

Revenue rose 11 percent year-on-year, totaling BHD2.3 billion (USD6.1 billion) compared to BHD2.1 billion (USD5.6 billion) in 2018.

“Despite the challenging global and regional economic environment, Mumtalakat has exhibited resilience and growth as it continues to play a vital role in the local economy supported by the group’s solid financial and operational performance,” Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s deputy prime minister and chairman of Mumtalakat, said.

“During 2019 Mumtalakat secured new investments and continued to work with its portfolio companies to focus on revenue enhancement and cost control which has contributed to a significant increase in operating income," Khalid Al Rumaihi, Mumtalakat chief executive said.

"This is in line with Mumtalakat’s ongoing efforts to maintain a balanced, diversified, and sustainable portfolio,” he added.



Oil Slips as Iran-Israel Conflict Enters Sixth Day

FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
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Oil Slips as Iran-Israel Conflict Enters Sixth Day

FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Oil prices fell on Wednesday, after a gain of 4% in the previous session, as markets weighed up the chance of supply disruptions from the Iran-Israel conflict and as they ponder a direct US involvement.

Brent crude futures fell 93 cents, or 1.2%, to $75.52 a barrel by 0918 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 88 cents, also 1.2%, to $73.96 per barrel.

US President Trump warned on social media on Tuesday that US patience was wearing thin, and called for an "unconditional surrender" from Iran.

While he said there was no intention to kill Iran's leader Ali Khamenei "for now," his comments suggested a tougher stance toward Iran as he weighs whether to deepen US involvement.

A source familiar with internal discussions said one of the options Trump and his team are considering included joining Israel on strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

A direct US involvement threatens to widen the confrontation further, putting energy infrastructure in the region at higher risk of attack, analysts say.

"The biggest fear for the oil market is the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz," ING analysts said in a note.

"Almost a third of global seaborne oil trade moves through this chokepoint. A significant disruption to these flows would be enough to push prices to $120 [a barrel]," the bank added.

Iran is OPEC's third-largest producer, extracting about 3.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil.

Meanwhile, Iranian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva Ali Bahreini said on Wednesday that Tehran has conveyed to Washington that it will respond firmly to the United States if it becomes directly involved in Israel's military campaign.

Markets are also looking ahead to a second day of US Federal Reserve discussions on Wednesday, in which the central bank is expected to leave its benchmark overnight interest rate in the range of 4.25% to 4.50%.

However, the conflict in the Middle East and the risk of slowing global growth could potentially push the Fed to cut rates by 25 basis points in July, sooner than the market's current expectation of September, said Tony Sycamore, market analyst with IG.

Lower interest rates generally boost economic growth and demand for oil.

Confounding the decision for the Fed, however, is the Middle East conflict's potential creation of a new source of inflation via surging oil prices.

US crude stocks fell by 10.1 million barrels in the week ended June 13, market sources told Reuters, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Official Energy Information Administration data is due later on Wednesday.