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GCC inflation rate increases by 1.7% in December 2024

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GCC inflation rate increases by 1.7% in December 2024

GCC-Stat reports 1.7% inflation growth in 2024, with housing costs leading the surge.

MUSCAT, May 18: The GCC-Stat announced on Sunday that consumer price data indicated a 1.7 percent increase in the general inflation rate across the GCC countries by the end of December 2024, compared to the same month in 2023.

According to a report from the center, the rise in inflation was primarily driven by increases in several key categories. The housing group saw a notable rise of 5.9 percent, while the goods and services group rose by 2.8 percent. Other contributing sectors included culture and entertainment (up by 1.8 percent), restaurants and hotels (1.1 percent), and health (0.1 percent). Additionally, both food and beverages and education groups experienced a 1.2 percent increase in prices.

The report also highlighted that these inflationary pressures were partly offset by decreases in other categories. Specifically, transportation costs fell by 2.7 percent, furniture and household equipment prices dropped by 1.7 percent, tobacco prices decreased by 1.1 percent, the communications group saw a reduction of 0.9 percent, and clothing and footwear prices dropped by 0.2 percent.

Despite these fluctuations, the overall Gulf inflation rate remained lower than that of the European Union, which recorded a 2.7 percent inflation rate. It also stood lower than many of the GCC’s key trading partners. Brazil, for instance, recorded the highest inflation rate in December 2024 at 4.8 percent, compared to the same month in the previous year. Japan followed with an inflation rate of 3.6 percent, while India and the United Kingdom each saw a 3.5 percent increase. The United States’ inflation rate stood at 2.9 percent, Germany at 2.6 percent, South Korea at 1.9 percent, and both France and Italy at 1.3 percent each. China had the lowest inflation rate among these countries, with only a 0.1 percent rise.

The GCC-Stat, the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, is based in Oman and serves as the official body for data, information, and statistics related to the GCC countries. It also works to enhance the statistical capabilities of national centers and planning agencies across the Gulf region.

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UPAC Reports Q1 2025 Financial Results

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KUWAIT CITY, May 18: United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC), a commercial real ‎estate and facilities management company, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ‎of 2025. The company reported a net profit of KD 480 thousand, down 26% from 2024, or 1.19 fils ‎per share. The company’s recorded revenue for the quarter was KD 2 million, down 11% from 2024.‎

Eng. Hamad Malallah, Chief Executive Officer at UPAC, said: “UPAC’s results are in-line with our ‎expectations. The reduction in revenue is mainly attributable to airport-related services. We remain ‎committed to identifying and pursuing strategic business opportunities within our industry that drive ‎growth and create value for the company and its shareholders.”‎

Malallah continued: “Planning for the Al Messilah Beach Project (Plage-2) site has been progressing, ‎where our teams are working on preparing the project for its opening and operation, meeting the ‎relevant partners, and potential vendors who we will be working with on this exciting new project.”‎

Al Messilah Beach, one of Kuwait’s prime family entertainment destinations, was developed by ‎Touristic Enterprises Company as part of its role in spearheading growth of Kuwait’s tourism sector. ‎UPAC is managing all aspects of the site including leasing, entertainment activities, facility ‎management, and overall project operations.‎

UPAC is also a co-investor in Abu Dhabi’s $1.3 billion Reem Mall on Reem Island. The mall is the ‎region’s first fully integrated omnichannel retail ecosystem with digital, e-commerce, and logistics ‎capabilities. It brings together all consumer and retail services to ensure a seamless customer ‎experience. To date, 198 units are trading, and almost 80% of Gross Leasable Area (GLA) is ‎committed.‎

In Kuwait, UPAC manages operations of Kuwait International Airport’s real estate and parking ‎facilities at the Sheikh Sa’ad Airport Terminal (T3), and the development of Al Messilah Beach. ‎

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Agility Reports Q1 2025 Net Profit of KD 12 Million

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KUWAIT CITY, May 18: Agility, a supply chain services, infrastructure and innovation ‎company, today reported Q1 2025 net income of KD 11.6 million, equivalent to 4.65 fils ‎per share. EBITDA stood at KD 67.6 million on revenue of KD 389 million. ‎

Note Q1 2025 figures are not comparable to Q1 2024 due to distribution of 49% shares in ‎Agility Global as in-kind dividends that occurred in May 2024.‎

Performance update

Agility Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan said: “We are pleased to report that the year has ‎started on a positive note from an operational perspective. While market conditions ‎remained somewhat challenging, our operating entities continued to demonstrate good ‎organic growth. This performance reflects the strength of our diversified portfolio and the ‎commitment of our teams across the business.”‎

Agility KSCP’s performance in the first quarter was primarily driven by Agility Global ‎PLC, which reported an EBIT of USD 92 million and revenue of USD 1,143 million in Q1 ‎‎2025. These results were supported by strong contributions from its three largest ‎businesses: Menzies, Tristar, and Agility Logistics Parks (ALP). Financial performance ‎for Agility Global in the period was impacted by higher depreciation and interest expenses ‎associated with ongoing investments to support future growth. ‎

‎“Other businesses in Kuwait remain committed to executing their growth strategies while ‎actively pursuing opportunities to enhance value and returns for shareholders,” Sultan ‎said. “GCS remained focused on driving operational efficiency and growth, while MRC ‎achieved a significant milestone by securing the contract to develop and operate a Metal ‎Reclamation Facility (MRF) for KNPC and KIPIC refineries — an important addition to ‎our industrial services portfolio.”‎

He added: “We’re also pleased with the steady progress at ALP Kuwait’s S2/South Village ‎project, a strategic commercial and logistics hub designed to serve the growing needs of ‎Sabah Al-Ahmad City. The project is advancing as planned, with first deliveries ‎scheduled for 2025.”‎

Recap of Agility Q1 2025 Financial Performance ‎

‎●‎ Agility’s net profit was KD 11.6 million and EPS was 4.65 fils.‎

‎●‎ Agility’s EBIT stood at KD 40.6 million and EBITDA KD 67.6 million. ‎

‎●‎ Agility’s revenue increased 16% to KD 389 million and net revenue increased ‎‎11%.‎

‎●‎ Agility enjoys a healthy balance sheet with KD 4.2 billion in assets.‎

‎●‎ Agility reported an operating cash flow of KD 56 million for the first quarter of ‎‎2025. ‎

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Egypt Kuwait Holding achieves 44% year-on-year growth in normalised earnings for Q1 2025, while advancing strategic transformation and geographic expansion plans

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KUWAIT / EGYPT, May 18: Kuwait Holding Company (EKHO.CA and EKHOA.CA on the Egyptian Exchange and ‎EKHK.KW on Boursa Kuwait), one of the MENA region’s leading investment companies, reported today its ‎consolidated results for the quarter ended 31 March 2025.‎

EKH recorded revenues of USD 195million for 1Q 2025, marking a 1% y-o-yincrease and a solid 17% sequential ‎growth, driven by stronggrowth momentum across the portfolio, particularly in the fertilizer and ‎petrochemicalsectors, underpinned by operational efficiency and favourable market dynamics. The Group ‎maintained healthy profitability, with gross profit and EBITDA margins recording 39% and 38% respectively, ‎supportedby efficient cost management and sustained operational strength of core business segments. ‎Meanwhile, net profit recorded USD 39.5 million compared to USD 72.0 million in 1Q 2024, the latter of which was ‎boosted by FX gains amounting to USD 40.2 million. Excluding the impact of FX gains, net profit for the first ‎quarter of 2025grew by a normalised24% y-o-y. Net profit margin came in at 20% during 1Q 2025. Net profit ‎attributable to equity holders amounted to USD 34.1mn in 1Q25, compared to USD 62.6mn in 1Q24 which included ‎‎39.0mn in FX gains. Excluding 1Q24 FX gains, attributable net profit grew by a normalised 44% y-o-y in 1Q25.‎

Commenting on the Group’s performance and business outlook, EKH Chairman Loay Jassim Al-Kharafi:“I am ‎pleased to report that we started off 2025 with continuous momentum, delivering resilient performance amid a fluid ‎macroeconomic backdrop.‎

This quarter, we successfully advanced our transformation agenda while maintaining healthy contributions across ‎key sectors, including fertilizers, petrochemicals, and utilities. Our revenue base continues to benefit from ‎meaningful USD-linked income, providing natural resilience to currency risk. Diversifying and growing our FX ‎profile remains a core strategic priority, supported by our expanding international footprint and focus on export-‎oriented sectors.‎

Strategically, we have made notable progress. We are set to kickstart commercial operations in Saudi Arabia by ‎the end of 2Q25, this marks our first fully owned investment in the Kingdom as well as a key milestone in our ‎regional expansion plans. Our MDF project, Nilewood, is in the final commissioning phase and remains on track to ‎commence operations shortly. Meanwhile, we are nearing closure of our first investment in Northern Europe — a ‎greenfield project representing a strategic entry into a high-growth and hard currency-generating sector.‎

During the OGM in April, our shareholders approved the Board’s recommendation for the distribution of both cash ‎and stock dividends for FY24, in line with our commitment to delivering value while maintaining flexibility for ‎recycling capital.‎

As we continue to develop EKH into a more globally oriented investment platform, we remain focused on ‎disciplined execution, responsible investment, as well as sustainable growth and return generation”‎

Commenting on the Group’s 1Q2025 results, EKH CEO,Jon Rokk: “I am proud to share that EKH’s first quarter ‎results reflect disciplined execution and solid underlying growth throughout key businesses, supported by ‎operational resilience across our portfolio and continued progress on strategic priorities.‎

Revenue rose 1% y-o-y and 17% q-o-q, supported by strong operational performance. AlexFert delivered double-‎digit top-line growth across both comparable periods, driven by improved urea export pricing and a more stable ‎gas supply during the quarter. Sprea posted robust EGP-denominated revenue growth, supported by higher sales ‎volumes on the back of the company’s strategy to grow its market share. NatEnergy’s EGP-based revenue ‎recorded solid growth, driven by rising household connections and improved profitability. Kahraba, now reported ‎as a standalone business within our portfolio, continued to post strong growth in electricity distribution volumes. ‎At ONS, we witnessed a temporary reduction in output due to planned maintenance workthat was finalized in ‎February, with operations now reverting to normal run rates. ‎

The divestment of Shield Gas in the UAE marked another milestone in our portfolio optimisation strategy. ‎Meanwhile, the Delta Insurance sale process remains on track, with bidders currently in the due diligence phase.As ‎we continue to recycle capital with the aim of value creation, we remain focused on unlocking higher returns and ‎aligning our portfolio with our long-term strategic priorities.‎

Our upcoming corporate rebrand will go beyond a mere change in visual identity; rather, it will reflect our shift ‎towards a more agile, global investment company, better positioned to scale proven platforms across borders. ‎We continue to optimise our organisation to render it fit for purpose as well as invest in our people, equipping ‎them with the necessary tools and frameworks to consistently deliver exceptional results.‎

As we look ahead, we remain focused on executing with discipline, investing for growth, and accelerating our ‎transformation.”‎

Fertilizers | AlexFert‎

AlexFertbooked USD 67 million in revenues during 1Q 2025, reflecting asolid 10% y-o-y and 13% q-o-q increase. ‎Revenue growth was supported by upward trending urea export prices as well as higher total volumes brought on ‎by improved gas availability during the quarter. Both gross profit and EBITDA margins expanded by 4pp y-o-yin ‎‎1Q 2025, partially driven byfavourable FX translation effects on EGP-denominated costs.Net profit came in at ‎USD 24.6 million, translating into a 3pp y-o-y expansion in net profit margin to reach 37% in 1Q 2025. ‎

The outlook on AlexFert remains optimistic, supported by sustained recovery in urea exportprices, which ‎increased a total of 35% since 2Q 2024 to reach an average of USD410/ton in 1Q 2025.Additionally, local fertilizer ‎quotas are expected to be revised upward by the government, offering upside potential to local quota pricing.‎

Petrochemicals | Sprea Misr

Sprea Misr reported revenues of EGP2.42billion in 1Q 2025, marking robust increases of 42% y-o-y and 58% q-o-‎q, driven by higher sales volumes as a result of management’s strategy to grow market share. In USD terms, ‎revenues posted a modest 1% y-o-y growth,due to the impact of the 2024 EGP devaluation, and rose by a strong ‎‎55% q-o-q, reflecting sustained improvement in performance.Gross profit improved significantly on a sequential ‎basis, increasing by 16% q-o-q in EGP terms and 14%q-o-q in USD terms, supported by highersales volume. ‎Meanwhile, net profit totalled EGP 494 million in 1Q 2025, implying a net profit margin of20%.‎

Sprea remains on track to achieve its FY25 net profit guidance, supported by continued recovery in local pricing, ‎which is gradually adjusting in response to the EGP devaluation, rising demand for SNF driven by the resumption ‎of construction activity in Egypt, and further top-line growth from highersales of liquid glue anticipated with the ‎start of operations at Nilewood.‎

Utilities | NatEnergy

NatEnergy reported revenues of EGP 882million in 1Q 2025, marking a 40% y-o-y increase, primarily driven ‎byincreased connections to residentialcustomers. In USD terms, revenues stood at USD 17.5 million, reflecting the ‎impact of the EGP devaluation. On a sequential basis,gross profit and EBITDA margins expanded by 3pp q-o-q ‎and 2pp q-o-q, respectively, to land at 26% and 25%, respectively, reflecting improved profitability driven by a ‎more favourable revenue mix, as management continues to prioritise margin-accretive residential and ‎industrialcustomers. Net profit came in at EGP249million in 1Q 2025, compared to EGP 583million recorded in 1Q ‎‎2024, with a net profit margin of 28% for 1Q 2025. Excluding the impact of FX gains booked in 1Q 2024, earnings ‎would have grown by a normalised 18% y-o-y.‎

NatEnergy’s outlook remains promising,supported by the anticipated adjustments of natural gas connection ‎prices, which will help ease current margin pressures.Management continues to optimise revenue mix by ‎expanding its customer base in high-potential residential areas, further enhancing blended margins as well as ‎overall profitability.‎

Utilities | Kahraba

Kahraba’srevenues rose 37% y-o-y to EGP 679 million, driven by continued growth ofits electricity distribution ‎business, withdistribution volumes surging 43% y-o-y, reflecting robust performance delivered by the 10th of ‎Ramadan concession zone. In USD terms, revenuesstood at USD 13.4 million due to the impact of the EGP ‎devaluation. Net profit recorded EGP 65.2 million in EGP terms and USD 1.29 million in USD terms, reflecting the ‎impact of higher inputcosts as well as one-off gains recorded in 1Q 2024.‎

Kahraba is currentlyinvesting in a second substation within its10th of Ramadan concession area to meet rising ‎demand, as industrial activity in the zonecontinues to accelerate. Additionally, the recent government decision to ‎unify natural gas tariffs for all electricity generators will enhance the competitiveness of Kahraba’s generation ‎business.‎

Oil and gas | ONS

ONS reported revenues of USD14million in 1Q 2025, impacted by the temporary planned shutdown for pipeline ‎repairs as well as the turbine exchange that was finalised during February 2025.Net profit amounted to ‎USD6.5million in 1Q2025, translating into a net profit margin of 45%, in line with the broader trend observed ‎across gross profitability and operating margins, which was a result of the temporary pause in production due to ‎planned maintenance works. ‎

ONS is set to deliver growth in 2025, supported by key operational milestones including thecommercial production ‎at its two newly drilled wells, KSE2 and Aton-1.These developments are expected to sustain gas ouput at a steady ‎rate of 55 MMSCFD through the end of 2026, translating into higher volume sales. ONS also continues to benefit ‎from the 10-year extension to its Concession Agreement, approved by the Egyptian General Petroleum ‎Corporation(EGPC) in Q3 2024, reinforcing operational continuity and long-term growth prospects.‎

NBFS& Diversified ‎

The Diversified segment delivered strong growth in EGP terms, with revenues increasing 30% y-o-y and 46% q-o-‎q. In USD terms,revenues posted significant improvement sequentially, rising 44% q-o-q. Gross profitability ‎improved notably, with gross profit margin expanding by 4 pp y-o-yto 57%, supported by the reassessment of ‎insured asset values and premiums along withstrong portfolio returns driven by the high-interest rate environment. ‎Delta Insurance reported an attributable net profit of EGP 105 million compared to EGP 121 million in 1Q 2024. ‎Excluding the impact of EGP ‎‏19.1‏‎ million booked in FX gains in 1Q 2024, earnings would have grown by a ‎normalised c3% y-o-y.Mohandes Insurance posted a 71% y-o-y increase in attributable net profit andBedayti ‎recorded a 5% y-o-y growth in attributable net profit, reaching EGP 15.7 million. ‎

Looking ahead, management remains confident in the insurance sector’s momentum, supported by consistent ‎premium growth and ongoing increases in the valuation of insured assets. Additionally, Nilewood remains on track ‎to begin commercial operations, with the plant currently in its final commissioning phase.‎

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