GULF COUNTRIES
Analyst
Justin Alexander
Former Economic Advisor, Qatar Finance MinistryDatabanks
Recent Country Insights
GULF WEEKLY: Floods batter Gulf, Israel-Iran clash may be over, Microsoft invests $1.5bn in G42, Kuwait has a new PM
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 19 Apr 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: *Iran and Israel exchanged carefully calibrated attacks and have hopefully come to a pause. *Oil prices briefly spiked today on the Israeli attack but settled after more details emerged. *The US vetoed Palestinian UN member...
The limited Iranian strikes at Israel were as expected, the next steps are more uncertain
GULF COUNTRIES · In Brief · 14 Apr 2024 · 1 response
Last night, April 13, Iran launched around 300 drones and missiles toward Israel. These are significant as the first attacks from Iranian territory (and possibly by Iranian forces directly) in nearly a half-century of enmity. Until now, Iran has merely provided support to allies across the region...
GULF WEEKLY: Oil rises alongside Iran-Israel tensions, Bahrain releases GDP and prisoners, Kuwait in confusion over government formation
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 12 Apr 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Brent crude hit a six-month high of $92, driven by geopolitics, but the IEA cut its demand forecast. * Countries including Saudi Arabia, Germany and Russia urged Iran not to retaliate against Israel. * Comments by an Irania...
GULF WEEKLY: S&P puts Oman on Positive outlook, opposition maintains majority in Kuwaiti elections, Abu Dhabi records strong Q4 GDP, oil touches $91.
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 05 Apr 2024 · 1 response
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Brent crude has risen to $91, the highest since October, partial due to regional tensions. * Israeli airstrikes hit the Iranian embassy in Syria and killed Western aid workers in Gaza. * The UAE and Saudi Arabia were the ...
GULF WEEKLY: Saudi green bond framework, Oman Q4 GDP, Gaza talks in Qatar paused after UN resolution
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 28 Mar 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * The UN demanded a Gaza ceasefire but the war continues, and hostage talks in Qatar paused. * Although the US permitted the UN resolution, it passed a budget with aid for Israel's military and none for UNRWA. * GCC banks ...
GULF WEEKLY: Fitch upgrades Qatar, Dubai merges developers, PIF eyes Saudia, US Gaza resolution vetoed
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 22 Mar 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * The US’s draft UN resolution calling for (but not “demanding”) an immediate ceasefire in Gaza was vetoed by China and Russia. * Ceasefire talks continue in Qatar, with differences over Palestinian prisoners and repopulatin...
GULF WEEKLY: Aramco hiked dividends, Saudi Q4 GDP, UAE Q4 fiscal, Dubai PMI surges
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 15 Mar 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Oil rose to $85 as the IEA’s latest forecast sees the market in deficit this year. * US criticism of Israel intensified as Ramadan began without a ceasefire and with growing famine concerns. * Hamas reduced its demands, t...
GULF WEEKLY: OPEC+ extends cuts, PIF gets more Aramco stock, Qatar surplus vs Kuwait deficit, Egypt devalues currency
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 08 Mar 2024
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * OPEC+ extended its additional voluntary cuts for at least another quarter until June. * Hopes faded for a Ramadan ceasefire in Gaza, and the Houthis attacks headed up in the Red Sea. * The Saudi PMI rebounded strongly to ...
Webinar Replay: Gulf Countries Regional Outlook
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 08 Mar 2024
What is next for OPEC+ in its 8th year of cuts? Is fiscal policy trending procyclical again? What are the risks to the GCC from regional conflicts? Visit our calendar page to watch the replay of our "Gulf Countries Regional Outlook" webinar.