SRMG Profits Jump to $140 Million Until Q3

The Saudi Research and Media Group increases its gains during the first nine months of this year (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Research and Media Group increases its gains during the first nine months of this year (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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SRMG Profits Jump to $140 Million Until Q3

The Saudi Research and Media Group increases its gains during the first nine months of this year (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Research and Media Group increases its gains during the first nine months of this year (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), one of the largest Arab media organizations, revealed that its gains during the first three quarters of 2022 increased by 22.4%, recording profits of SAR 527.8 million ($140 million) because of revenue growth.

SRMG, whose shares are listed on the Saudi stock market, recorded an increase in profits by 20.3%, achieving quarterly gains of SAR 246 million ($65.7 million). Achieved profits represent a growth jump of 46% when compared to the previous quarter.

The increase in net profit for the current quarter compared to the same quarter of the previous year is mainly due to the increase in gross profit, resulting mainly from the increase in revenues by 23.2%, noting that the direct costs for the current quarter increased compared to the same quarter of the last year mainly due to operating costs of certain projects in line with the announced strategy.

The reason for the increase in net profit during the current quarter compared to the previous quarter of the current year is mainly due to the increase in gross profit by 20.8%.

SRMG said that the increase in profits and revenues came despite the direct costs of the current period, which increased compared to the same period of the previous year, mainly as a result of the operating costs of some projects in line with the announced strategy.

The total revenue of the current quarter is SAR 1,002.7 million ($267.2 million) compared to SAR 813.9 million for the same quarter of the last year, an increase of 23.2%, and compared to SR 907.2 million in the previous quarter of the current year, an increase of 10.5%.

The total revenue of the current period is SR 2,696.3 million compared to SR 2,113.5 million for the same period of the previous year, an increase of 27.6%.

Total revenues during the current period amounted to SAR 2.696 billion, compared to SAR 2.113 billion for the same period of the previous year. This represents an increase of 27.6%.

Total comprehensive income of the parent company for the current quarter stands at SAR 203.0 million compared to SAR 198.7 million for the same quarter of the last year, an increase of 2.2%.

When compared to the SAR 140.1 million recorded in the previous quarter of the current year, it represents an increase of 44.9%.

In other news, the main Saudi stock index closed on Monday, up 77.48 points at 11598.76 points, with transactions worth 6.4 billion riyals.

The volume of traded shares amounted to 142 million shares, shared by more than 380 thousand transactions, in which the shares of 61 companies recorded an increase in their value, while the shares of 143 companies closed down.

The Saudi Parallel Stock Index (Nomu) closed today, down 112.82 points at 19,500.39 points, with transactions worth 17.2 million riyals, while the volume of traded shares reached more than 320 thousand shares, shared by 1383 deals.



Cluster2 Company Launches Direct Flights from Muscat to Saudi Arabia's Taif

 Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA
Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA
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Cluster2 Company Launches Direct Flights from Muscat to Saudi Arabia's Taif

 Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA
Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA

The Cluster2 Company, operator of Taif International Airport, announced the launch of three direct flights per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air, starting January 31, SPA reported.

The launch of international flights through the cluster’s airports comes as part of its ongoing commitment to improving the passenger experience and expanding international travel options, while continuing to build strategic partnerships with global airlines to enhance air connectivity in the Kingdom.


Oil Prices Rise as US Ramps up Action against Venezuela Tankers

A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
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Oil Prices Rise as US Ramps up Action against Venezuela Tankers

A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

Oil prices rose on Monday after the US intercepted ​an oil tanker in international waters off the coast of Venezuela and tensions in Russia's war against Ukraine remained high, with both developments raising fears of supply disruption.

Brent crude futures gained $1.31, or 2.17%, to $61.78 a barrel by 1316 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose by $1.25, or 2.2%, to $57.77.

Market participants now see a risk of disruption to Venezuelan oil exports because of the US ‌embargo, having previously ‌been complacent in that regard, said ‌UBS ⁠analyst Giovanni ​Staunovo.

Venezuelan crude ‌accounts for about 1% of global supply.

Growing supply from the US and the OPEC+ producer group have largely offset worries over supply disruption elsewhere to keep Brent futures around $65 a barrel in the second half of 2025, though prices have eased in the past month because of oversupply concerns.

Oil prices have been supported by developments off Venezuela while ⁠Russia-Ukraine tensions simmer in the background in an otherwise very bearish market, said June ‌Goh, analyst at Sparta Commodities.

The US Coast ‍Guard is pursuing an oil ‍tanker in international waters near Venezuela in what would be the ‍second such operation over the weekend and the third in less than two weeks if successful, officials told Reuters on Sunday.

A rebound in oil prices has been sparked by US President Donald Trump's announcement of a "total ​and complete" blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers and subsequent developments there, followed by reports of a Ukrainian drone strike ⁠on a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Mediterranean, said IG analyst Tony Sycamore.

The Brent and WTI benchmarks fell by about 1% last week.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that talks between US, European and Ukrainian officials in Florida over the past three days in an effort to end Russia's war in Ukraine had focused on aligning positions. Those meetings and separate talks with Russian negotiators had been productive, he said.

However, the top foreign policy aide of Russian President Vladimir Putin said that changes made by the Europeans ‌and Ukraine to US proposals had not improved prospects for peace.


GASTAT: Construction Costs in Saudi Arabia Rose 1% in November

The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA
The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA
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GASTAT: Construction Costs in Saudi Arabia Rose 1% in November

The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA
The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA

The Construction Cost Index in Saudi Arabia rose 1% in November 2025 compared with the same month last year, driven by equal 1% increases in both residential and non-residential construction costs, according to data released by the Kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025.

The Construction Cost Index bulletin is part of GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to develop statistical products for vital sectors and provide a reliable and effective reference with accurate estimates to support decision-making by contractors, real estate developers, and relevant entities.

These efforts contribute to drawing a clear roadmap for residential and non-residential construction projects in the building and construction sector.