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.

RIYADH: Oman’s real estate market maintained its upward trajectory in 2024, with transaction values soaring 28.1 percent year on year to 3.13 billion Omani rials ($8.13 billion) by November, official figures showed. 
According to data from the National Center for Statistics and Information, sale contracts in the sector rose 3.1 percent annually to 1.1 billion rials during the period, while the number of deals edged up 1.9 percent to 61,552, the Oman News Agency reported. 
The robust performance underscores broader optimism in Oman’s property market, with market intelligence firm Mordor Intelligence forecasting the residential real estate sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 9.19 percent, increasing from $4.38 billion in 2024 to $6.80 billion by 2029. 
The Omani government has introduced several initiatives to boost the growth of its real estate sector, including relaxing property ownership laws for foreigners and offering tax incentives to real estate developers. 
Oman’s population reached 5.27 million this month, with expatriates accounting for over 43 percent, or 2.28 million people. The significant expatriate presence has been vital in driving demand for residential and commercial properties, particularly in urban centers. 
Oman’s Vision 2040, the country’s strategic development plan, further underscores the importance of sustainability and innovation in the real estate sector. 
Data from NCSI said that the value of mortgage contracts surged by 44.8 percent year on year in the first 11 months of 2024, reaching 2.1 billion rials. 
The number of mortgage contracts declined by 12.2 percent during the January-to-November period, dropping to 18,846 from 21,461 in the same period of the previous year. 
Swap contracts also experienced significant growth, with 1,223 deals valued at 12.4 million rials by the end of November, an 18.1 percent increase from the previous year. 
The total number of issued properties reached 210,483 by the end of November, reflecting a slight 3.4 percent decline compared to the same period in 2023. 
Properties issued to Gulf Cooperation Council citizens saw a 6.8 percent annual rise, totalling 1,325 in the first eleven months of 2024.