Oil prices have found some support, but the outlook remains clouded. Oil prices have been rising since the start of the week for a number of reasons. However, looking ahead, the outlook is likely to be shaped by a tug-of-war between rising supply and uncertain demand trends, clouded by economic concerns and policy shifts.
New wave of funding in the region. The Gulf countries are witnessing a surge in debt issuance and corporate borrowing, driven by ambitious investment plans, shifting monetary conditions, and a need to diversify funding sources. Sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises, and private companies across the region are increasingly tapping global capital markets to fuel growth and sustain strategic development agendas—particularly in sectors such as clean energy, infrastructure and aviation. Beyond debt markets, equity capital markets are providing an alternative fundraising avenue.
Next week's data. Qatar’s trade balance (February, previously USD18.4bn) and CPI (May, previously 0.13% YoY), the UAE’s Dubai CPI (May, previously 2.31% YoY), Israel’s consumer confidence (May, previously 69), and Saudi Arabia’s GDP (1Q25 final, previously 2.7%) and industrial production (April, previously 2.0%) are the important data releases to watch next week.