The Arabian Read — Daily Gulf Intelligence

US-GCC trade slows further in April due to Iran war

Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) has joined the quartet led by US asset manager KKR to launch a new company to provide infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) hyperscalers. The

▪ Why it matters: Direct impact on KIA sector across Gulf markets. Regional implications are material.

📍 Kuwait 🏷️ Markets

AirAsia delays opening of Bahrain base

Surging oil prices earned Libya bumper revenues in May, making the north African country a beneficiary of the Strait of Hormuz crisis caused by the Iran conflict. Prices averaged $120 in April, nearly

▪ Why it matters: Direct impact on oil price sector across Gulf markets. Regional implications are material.

📍 Bahrain 🏷️ Markets

Oil Held the Biggest IPO Record. Tonight It Loses the Crown.

For nearly seven years, the largest IPO in history belonged to an oil company. Not just any oil company. Saudi Aramco, the crown jewel of the world's largest crude exporter, raised $29.4 billion

▪ Why it matters: Direct impact on Aramco sector across Gulf markets. Regional implications are material.

📍 Gulf 🏷️ Energy

Bahrain and UAE Central Bank Governors Discuss Enhancing Financial and Monetary Cooperation

▪ Why it matters: Direct impact on central bank sector across Gulf markets. Regional implications are material.

📍 UAE 🏷️ Finance

Mubadala’s ADIC invests in US hedge fund’s $2bn capital raise

Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia has pushed back the launch of its Middle East base in Bahrain because of the US-Israeli war with Iran. Operations are now likely to start in August or September, sub

▪ Why it matters: Direct impact on Mubadala sector across Gulf markets. Regional implications are material.

📍 Bahrain 🏷️ Sovereign Wealth

UAE and Iran Meet Face-to-Face to Try to Deescalate Tensions

Renewables developer Cypress Creek Energy closed on a $3.5 billion financing for one of the biggest solar and battery projects in the US, a sign of sustained investor interest amid federal pushback ag

▪ Why it matters: Direct impact on AI sector across Gulf markets. Regional implications are material.

📍 UAE 🏷️ Markets

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Energy

Brent holding $80-85 range. OPEC+ discipline intact through Q3. Non-OPEC supply growth slowing. Asian demand forecast revised up 0.4% by IEA.

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Finance

GCC bank profits up 18% YoY. NIMs stabilizing. Loan growth strongest in Saudi (22%) and UAE (16%). DIFC: 47 new fintech licenses Q1.

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Real Estate

Dubai residential transactions hit AED 42B in April — monthly record. Saudi giga-project awards reached $18B Q1.

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Technology

Gulf VC: $1.2B across 84 deals Q1. Saudi startups 37% of total. Fintech and logistics lead. 3 deals above $50M in Riyadh.

🇸🇦

5.6%

Non-Oil GDP

🇦🇪

56.8

Dubai PMI

🇶🇦

$12.8B

Budget Surplus

🇰🇼

$140B

Infra Plan

🇧🇭

3.2%

GDP Growth

🇴🇲

Ba1

Moody's

🇪🇬

22.4% ↓

Inflation

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$4T

GCC SWF

Wed May 14 GCC Finance Ministers — Riyadh

Thu May 15 OPEC+ Technical Committee — Vienna

Fri May 16 UAE-India CEPA Review — Abu Dhabi

Sun May 18 Arab League Economic Council — Cairo

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