BEIJING: China’s trade surplus with the United States swelled to a record in June as its overall exports grew at a solid pace, a result that could further inflame a bitter trade dispute with Washington.
But signs exporters were rushing shipments before tariffs went into effect in the first week of July suggest the spike in the surplus was a one-off, with analysts expecting a less favorable trade balance for China in coming months as duties on exports start to bite.
The data came after the administration of US President Donald Trump raised the stakes in its trade row with China on Tuesday, saying it would slap 10 percent tariffs on an extra $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, including numerous consumer items.
China’s trade surplus with the United States, which is at the center of the tariff tussle, widened to a record monthly high of $28.97 billion, up from $24.58 billion in May, according to Reuters calculations based on official data going back to 2008.
The record surplus “won’t help already sour relations and escalating tensions,” Jonas Short, head of the Beijing office at Everbright Sun Hung Kai, wrote in a note.
Trump, who has demanded Beijing cut the trade surplus, could use the latest result to further ratchet up pressure on China after both sides last week imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on $34 billion of each other’s goods. Washington has warned it may ultimately impose tariffs on more than $500 billion worth of Chinese goods — nearly the total amount of US imports from China last year.
The dispute has jolted global financial markets, raising worries a full-scale trade war could derail the world economy. Chinese stocks fell into bear market territory and the yuan currency has skidded, though there have been signs in recent days its central bank is moving to slow the currency’s declines.
China’s June exports rose 11.3 percent from a year earlier, China General Administration of Customs reported, beating forecasts for a 10 percent increase according to the latest Reuters poll of 39 analysts, and down from a 12.6 percent gain in May.
China’s commerce ministry confirmed last month that Chinese exporters were front-loading exports to the US to get ahead of expected tariffs — a situation that could exacerbate any slowdown in shipments toward the year-end.
“Looking ahead, export growth will cool in the coming months as US tariffs start to bite alongside a broader softening in global demand,” Julian Evans-Pritchard, Senior China Economist at Capital Economics in Singapore wrote in a note, though he noted a weaker yuan should help offset some of the decline.
China’s exports to the United States rose 13.6 percent in the first half of 2018 from a year earlier, while its imports from the US rose 11.8 percent in the same period.
Separate data suggested some Chinese retailers moved up orders to the US to insulate themselves from the intensifying trade war that threatens to send up costs on a growing number of consumer products.
For January-June China’s trade surplus with the United States rose to $133.76 billion, compared with about $117.51 billion in the same period last year.
After a strong start to the year, growth in China’s exports has moderated recently, and is expected to face more pressure from the initial round of US tariffs. Both official and private business surveys reported softer export orders last month.
China’s foreign trade faces risks of slowing in the second half of the year, General Administration of Customs spokesman Huang Songping told a news conference — a view backed by analysts and likely to put more strain on an economy already feeling the pinch from a multi-year debt battle that has driven up corporate borrowing costs.
Investors fear a prolonged trade battle with the United States could harm business confidence and investment, disrupting global supply chains and harming growth in China and the rest of the world.
South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, warned on Thursday that components and materials used in home appliances, computers and communications devices could be caught in the crossfire of the trade war.
Imports grew 14.1 percent in June, customs said, missing analysts’ forecast of a 20.8 percent growth, and compared with a 26 percent rise in May.
The commerce ministry also said this week it will use funds collected from tariffs charged on imports from the US to help ease the impact of US trade actions on Chinese companies and their employees.
In a sign Beijing is seeking alternative supplies of the commodities as it hit US imports with extra tariffs, China had dropped import tariffs on a range of animal feed ingredients from several Asian countries.
Separate customs data on Friday showed imports of commodities from soybeans to crude oil eased compared with a year ago, but China’s steel mills and aluminum smelters sold much more abroad spurred by higher international prices amid growing concerns about slowing demand growth.
The data could renew longstanding criticism from the United States and Europe that the world’s top metal producer is selling its surplus product abroad, hurting foreign rivals.
“We expect slowing export growth to put downward pressure on the current account and RMB (yuan), and believe China is likely to be willing to make concessions in future rounds of trade negotiations with the US,” Nomura analysts said in a note to clients.
China’s trade surplus with US hits record as exporters rush to beat tariffs
China’s trade surplus with US hits record as exporters rush to beat tariffs
- Analysts expect less favorable trade balance for China in coming months as duties on exports start to bite
- Washington has warned it may ultimately impose tariffs on more than $500 billion worth of Chinese goods
PIF invests $200m in new Saudi ETF by State Street Global Advisers
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has invested $200 million in the newly launched SPDR J.P. Morgan Saudi Arabia Aggregate Bond UCITS exchange-traded fund.
In a press release, State Street Global Advisers, the US-based asset manager behind the ETF, called it the first fixed-income UCITS ETF focused on the Kingdom to launch in Europe.
This move comes as global investors look to capitalize on Saudi Arabia’s growing bond market, supported by economic and infrastructure developments under Vision 2030.
The ETF launch further underscores PIF’s strategy to enhance international access to Saudi Arabia’s diversified market and attract foreign investment. PIF’s portfolio also includes investments in ETFs listed in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Tokyo.
“PIF’s investment into the first internationally listed fixed-income Saudi ETF further deepens the Saudi market, while attracting investors and strengthening cross-geography partnerships, increasing international investment in Saudi Arabia,” said Yazeed Al-Humied, deputy governor and head of Middle East and North Africe Investments at PIF.
Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities, or UCITS, are EU regulations that establish a standardized framework for investment funds marketed and sold to investors within the economic bloc.
Listed on the London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Börse’s Xetra in Frankfurt, the new fund tracks the J.P. Morgan Saudi Arabia Aggregate Index. This index provides exposure to the Kingdom’s financial instruments, including liquid dollar- and SR-denominated government and quasi-government bonds, as well as sukuk bonds.
“We are delighted to see such significant early-stage commitment from PIF into the SPDR J.P. Morgan Saudi Arabia Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF, a first of its kind in the industry. The creation of this fund sprung from our ambition to provide investors a compelling and innovative opportunity,” said Yie-Hsin Hung, CEO of State Street Global Advisers.
The ETF is accessible to investors in several European countries, including Austria, Denmark, and Finland, as well as France, Germany, and Italy. It is also available in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway, as well as Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
State Street Global Advisers, the asset management business of State Street Corp., has served governments, institutions, and financial advisers for over four decades, managing $4.73 trillion in assets.
The SPDR ETF range spans international and domestic asset classes, providing investors with flexible options aligned to diverse strategies.
Closing Bell: Saudi main index slides to close at 12,088
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index edged lower on Wednesday, dropping by 24.55 points, or 0.20 percent, to close at 12,088.74. The benchmark index saw a trading turnover of SR7 billion ($1.86 billion), with 127 stocks advancing and 112 declining.
The Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, also experienced a slight decline, falling by 32.97 points, or 0.11 percent, to settle at 30,776.15. Of the stocks listed on Nomu, 41 advanced while 42 retreated.
The MSCI Tadawul Index dropped 7.53 points, or 0.50 percent, to close at 1,506.86.
Among the top performers of the day was Nice One Beauty Digital Marketing Co., which made its debut on the main market on Jan. 8. The company’s share price surged by 30 percent, reaching SR45.50.
Other notable gainers included Al-Mawarid Manpower Co., which saw its stock rise 7.82 percent to SR135.20, and Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., which saw its share price climb 6.98 percent.
On the downside, National Co. for Learning and Education recorded the largest drop, falling 4.24 percent to SR185.20. Almoosa Health Co. also saw a decline of 3.84 percent, ending the session at SR140.40, while Alinma Retail REIT Fund Yanbu saw a 3.45 percent drop to SR4.76.
On the announcements front, Nice One Beauty Digital Marketing Co. revealed it is offering 34.65 million shares at SR35 each. SNB Capital is serving as the lead manager for the offering.
United Electronics Co. announced its estimated financial results for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024. The company reported a net profit of SR534.53 million, marking a 36.8 percent increase compared to 2023. The growth was driven by higher revenues and improved gross profits, thanks to a better sales mix and expansion in the consumer finance sector, despite an increase in selling, distribution, and administrative expenses. Extra’s stock ended the day at SR95.60, up 2.13 percent.
United International Holding Co. also posted its financial results for the period ending Dec. 31, 2024. The company recorded a net profit of SR222.38 million, a 4.8 percent increase over the previous year. This growth was attributed to higher credit loss provisions and increased selling, general, and administrative expenses. The company’s shares closed at SR187.80, down 2.60 percent.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom’s Capital Market Authority announced that Rawasi Albina Investment Co. is planning to issue up to SR500 million in debt instruments. The company's stock finished the session at SR4.35, down 1.15 percent.
Saudi Arabia dominates MENA VC landscape, securing $750m in 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has retained its position as the top destination for venture capital funding in the Middle East and North Africa region, raising $750 million in 2024, according to a new report.
This marks the second consecutive year the Kingdom has topped the regional VC rankings.
Data from regional venture platform MAGNiTT showed that Saudi Arabia accounted for 40 percent of the total VC capital deployed in MENA in 2024, with a 16 percent year-on-year increase in deal flow.
The Kingdom closed 178 deals, the most of any MENA nation, reflecting strong investor confidence and a thriving startup ecosystem.
The largest deal in the region was secured by Saudi-based e-commerce enablement platform Salla, which raised $130 million.
The UAE ranked second in regional funding with $613 million raised, while leading in deal volume with 188 transactions and 12 exits.
Emerging venture markets snapshot
MENA startups collectively raised $1.9 billion in 2024, reflecting a 29 percent decline compared to 2023.
Despite the drop, MAGNiTT noted that “funding levels in 2024 were still higher than 2020 levels, prior to the 2021 and 2022 boom years, signaling continued growth in the venture space.”
The Middle East accounted for $1.5 billion of the funding, spread across 461 deals — a 10 percent annual increase. Total investor participation in the region grew by 14 percent, reaching 392 investors, while exits totaled 24.
Venture capital performance in emerging venture markets — which include the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Pakistan, and Turkiye — slowed significantly in 2024.
Total VC funding in these regions fell by 40 percent, with deal volumes dropping 20 percent compared to 2023. Both metrics also dipped below 2020 levels.
Southeast Asia led among EVMs with $5.6 billion raised across 564 deals, while Africa recorded the weakest performance, raising $1.07 billion through 294 deals.
Mega deals and early-stage activity
Global VC trends, such as reduced late-stage funding, were reflected in EVMs. Mega deals — valued at $100 million or more — declined for the third consecutive year, falling 56 percent compared to 2023.
The first quarter of 2024 saw the lowest mega deal funding since the fourth quarter of 2019, with late-stage investments hardest hit.
However, early-stage activity showed resilience. The focus on seed and pre-series A funding increased, with $1 million to $5 million ticket sizes rising by 5 percentage points year on year.
According to MAGNiTT, this emphasis on early-stage investments is critical for sustaining future deal flow growth.
Philip Bahoshy, CEO of MAGNiTT, highlighted a potential recovery in the venture market. “In 2024, we witnessed a decline in funding across EVMs driven by reduced late-stage investment activity. However, the positive development is that 2024 also saw a gradual decline in interest rates, both in mature markets like the US and Emerging Markets,” he said.
“We anticipate these rate cuts to begin boosting capital availability within the next 6-9 months, paving the way for a stronger funding environment in 2025,” Bahoshy added.
The Middle East increased its share of deal transactions across EVMs to 35 percent in 2024, an 8-percentage-point rise.
Southeast Asia captured the largest share at 43 percent, while Africa’s share dropped to its lowest level in five years, at 22 percent.
UAE’s ADNOC L&S acquires 80% stake in Navig8 for $1.04bn
- Value-accretive transaction expected to boost earnings per share by at least 20% in 2025 compared to 2024
- Transaction adds modern fleet of 32 tankers to ADNOC L&S’ fleet and expands its service portfolio
RIYADH: UAE’s ADNOC Logistics and Services has boosted its global position by acquiring an 80 percent stake in Navig8 TopCo. Holdings Inc. for $1.04 billion, strengthening its status as a prominent player in energy maritime transportation.
The transaction includes a contractual commitment to acquire the remaining 20 percent by mid-2027, positioning ADNOC L&S for expanded global operations and increased shareholder value.
Navig8, a prominent international shipping pool operator and commercial management company, brings a modern-owned fleet of 32 tankers and an established presence in 15 cities across five continents.
The firm has investments in technical management services, is a marine fuels provider operating in over 1,000 ports globally, and has additional ventures within the marine sector.
“The completion of this landmark acquisition is a significant milestone in our transformational growth strategy,” said Abdulkareem Al-Masabi, CEO of ADNOC L&S.
“By integrating Navig8’s extensive fleet and global presence, we can enhance our service offerings, generating substantial value for customers and shareholders. This strategic move unlocks new opportunities for commercial growth and expansion into new markets, reinforcing our position as a leading global energy maritime logistics company,” Al-Masabi added.
The acquisition aligns with ADNOC L&S’ growth strategy, complementing its integration with Zakher Marine International in 2022 and reinforcing its ambition to expand its global reach and service portfolio.
ZMI, an Abu Dhabi-based owner and operator of offshore support vessels, brought with it the world’s largest fleet of self-propelled jack-up barges.
ZMI’s acquisition expanded ADNOC L&S’s fleet to over 300 vessels, reinforcing its position as the region’s largest integrated logistics provider and enabling the company to offer its customers a broader range of services.
ADNOC L&S, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., will benefit from Navig8’s acquisition through expanded services, including commercial pooling, bunkering, technical management, and environmental, social, and governance-focused industrial and digital solutions.
The acquisition is structured to ensure economic ownership of Navig8 starting from Jan. 1, 2024.
The remaining 20 percent will be acquired in 2027 for deferred consideration ranging from $335 million to $450 million, depending on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization performance during the interim.
Nicolas Busch, CEO of Navig8, expressed enthusiasm for the deal, saying: “We are excited to join forces with ADNOC L&S and the wider ADNOC Group. This achievement highlights the exceptional efforts of the Navig8 team over the past two decades, setting the stage for this next phase.”
The acquisition is expected to deliver immediate financial benefits, with ADNOC L&S projecting a 20 percent increase in earnings per share by this year compared to the previous year.
The company’s share price saw a 5.23 percent increase as of Jan. 8, 1:00 p.m. Saudi time.
It anticipates annual synergies of at least $20 million by 2026, underscoring the value-accretive nature of the transaction.
Saudi public funds boost domestic money market holdings to $11bn
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s public funds ramped up their domestic money market investments to SR41.38 billion ($11.03 billion) in the third quarter of 2024, marking an 82.4 percent year-on-year increase, according to official data.
Figures from the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, showed that the total value of assets held by these organizations rose to SR160.1 billion during the three months to the end of September, marking a 36.7 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The number of operating funds grew by 9.54 percent during this period, reaching a total of 310, while the number of subscribers rose by 50.65 percent, reaching 1.57 million.
Domestic holdings saw the highest growth rate at 41.8 percent, comprising 84 percent of the total portfolio, or SR134.43 billion.
Other assets included 25.83 percent in shares, totaling SR41.24 billion, and 7.24 percent in sukuk and bonds, amounting to SR11.58 billion.
Real estate investments, valued at SR27.6 billion and accounting for 17.24 percent of the portfolio, are also considered domestic, according to SAMA.
Foreign allocations totaled SR25.66 billion, reflecting a 16 percent annual increase, and were spread across foreign shares, bonds, money market instruments, and other assets.
As Saudi Arabia’s economy continues to expand under the Vision 2030 initiative, the banking sector has seen a notable increase in loan growth, outpacing the rise in deposits.
This trend reflects the growing demand for credit, driven by the Kingdom’s ongoing infrastructure projects, real estate developments, and rising consumer spending.
In this context, Saudi investment funds are increasing their allocations to money market instruments, such as short-term government securities, which provide liquid, low-risk options for capital. This helps banks manage short-term liquidity needs while limiting exposure to significant market risks.
This investment trend not only supports the broader stability of the banking sector but also aligns with the Kingdom’s economic growth, ensuring that financial institutions can meet the rising demand for credit while safeguarding their liquidity positions.
The funds include both open-ended and closed-ended types, which are open to public investment and overseen by regulatory bodies like the Capital Market Authority.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund operates separately, focusing on long-term, strategic investments aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, and is not included in SAMA’s data.
According to SAMA, approximately 92 percent of active funds are open-ended, with assets totaling SR128.71 billion, while the remaining 8 percent are closed-ended, holding assets of SR31.38 billion.
