Oil Updates – prices steady with focus on Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, OPEC+ policy

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index advanced 0.26 percent, or 29.73 points, to close at 11,345.46 on Monday. 

The total trading volume reached SR5.5 billion ($1.4 billion), with 132 companies experiencing growth and 116 declining. 

The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index edged up 0.21 percent to 1,454.38, while the parallel market Nomu posted a stronger performance, gaining 0.75 percent to finish at 27,462.84. 

Among the top performers, Tourism Enterprise Co. surged 9.64 percent to SR0.91. 

Ayyan Investment Co. rose 4.28 percent to SR14.38, while Sumou Real Estate Co. gained 4.18 percent to close at SR42.82. 

Buruj Cooperative Insurance Co. advanced 4.11 percent to SR18.99, and Tamkeen Human Resources Co. climbed 3.71 percent to end at SR55.90. 

On the losing side, Miahona Co. recorded the steepest decline, falling 3.35 percent to SR25.98.  

Umm Al-Qura Cement Co. dropped 3.21 percent to SR16.59. Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co. slipped 2.31 percent to SR5.07. 

Almarai Co. decreased 2.05 percent to SR50.15, and Halwani Bros. Co. fell 2.04 percent to SR45.20. 

On the announcement front, Riyad Bank stated that it had commenced the offer of its US dollar-denominated Tier 2 trust certificates under its international trust certificate issuance program. 

The issuance will be conducted through a special-purpose vehicle and is targeted at eligible investors in the Kingdom and internationally. 

The certificates will have a minimum subscription of $200,000, with increments of $1,000 in excess thereof, and a par value of $200,000. They will have a maturity of 10 years, callable after five years. 

The amount and terms of the offer will be determined subject to market conditions. 

Riyad Bank has mandated DBS Bank, HSBC, and J.P. Morgan Securities, as well as Merrill Lynch, Mizuho, Riyad Capital, SMBC, and Standard Chartered as joint lead managers. 

The certificates will be listed on the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market. Riyad Bank shares closed at SR28.90, down 0.48 percent. 

Alinma Bank announced its intention to issue US dollar-denominated certificates under its own trust certificate issuance program, as per a board resolution dated May 13, which delegated authority to its chief executive officer. 

The offer is also expected to be conducted through a special-purpose vehicle and directed at eligible investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad. 

The issuance will be subject to regulatory approvals and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 

Alinma Bank has appointed Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Alinma Capital, and Dubai Islamic Bank, as well as Emirates NBD, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Standard Chartered as joint lead managers. 

The amount and terms of the offer will be determined by market conditions. Alinma Bank shares ended the session at SR27.20, falling 0.87 percent. 

JEDDAH: Trade and investment relations between the UAE and Cuba are expected to deepen following the inaugural session of the Joint Economic Committee, which convened in Dubai to boost cooperation across multiple sectors, including biotechnology, renewable energy, and tourism.

Organized under the framework of the trade, economic, and technical cooperation agreement signed earlier by both nations, the session marked a significant step forward in advancing bilateral economic engagement.

The committee meeting was co-chaired by Abdullah Ahmed Al-Saleh, undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy, and Carlos Luis Jorge Mendez, Cuba’s first deputy minister of foreign trade and foreign investment. According to the UAE’s official news agency WAM, discussions centered on enhancing collaboration in agriculture, food security, infrastructure, transportation, logistics, cultural industries, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.

Non-oil trade between the two countries has been steadily rising. It reached over $39.1 million in 2024—up more than 2 percent from the previous year and 46.4 percent compared to 2022, WAM reported. The agency added that trade during the first quarter of 2025 rose by 5.6 percent compared to the same period in 2024, and by over 25 percent from the fourth quarter of that year. More than 825 Cuban brands are currently operating in the UAE market.

According to WAM,  Al-Saleh said that bilateral ties continue to advance steadily, particularly in the economic and commercial spheres, adding: “This reflects the visionary leadership of both nations in fostering growth and prosperity and in serving their shared interests.”

He continued: “The first session of the Joint Economic Committee between the two countries marks a key milestone in enhancing economic and investment relations in the coming period. It expands areas of cooperation in priority sectors, strengthens engagement between the Emirati and Cuban business communities, and explores promising market opportunities — contributing to the national goals of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.”

Attended by the ambassadors of both countries, the session concluded with an agreement to establish a joint framework that will oversee implementation of the committee’s outcomes, ensuring the continuity of economic cooperation and shared growth.

According to WAM, both sides also agreed to coordinate business forums and economic events, exchange trade delegations, and facilitate increased trade and investment flows between Emirati and Cuban companies. The agency added that the two parties proposed organizing joint meetings, seminars, and workshops involving investors, promotion agencies, and financial institutions to attract investment in high-priority sectors.

“They stressed the importance of advancing economic cooperation through new partnerships in entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem, with the aim of accelerating SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) growth, expanding investments, supporting exports to international markets, and increasing their contribution to the national GDPs (gross domestic products) of both countries,” WAM added.

Food security and agriculture were also top priorities, with both sides expressing interest in boosting trade in food commodities and agricultural products. They also committed to working together on sustainable farming, food processing, and agricultural technology.

Tourism was highlighted as another strategic sector for collaboration. Both nations agreed to co-host exhibitions, events, and conferences to showcase their tourist and heritage destinations. They also discussed sharing expertise and data on tourism resources, statistics, and digital innovations.

The committee’s formation follows recent government restructuring in the UAE. Just over two weeks ago, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, announced the creation of a Ministry of Foreign Trade, led by Thani Al-Zeyoudi. The Ministry of Economy was also renamed the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, now headed by Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri.