Jordan's 'BB-' Rating; Outlook Stable

Jordan's ratings are supported by a track record of fiscal and economic reforms and resilient availability of domestic and external financing linked to the liquid banking sector, growing public pension fund and funding from Jordan's external partners.

Escalation in Iran-US Tension Would Be a Risk to GCC Sovereigns

Elevated tensions between the US and Iran have raised the prospect of disruptions to oil and gas shipments in the Gulf. A conflict could have a significant negative impact on budgets in the region, although large buffers would cushion the impact for the richer sovereigns. An escalation could also affect ratings if it caused us to reassess geopolitical risks for the sovereigns. 

Middle East in Ambitious Drive for Renewables Generation

Several governments in the Middle East have set ambitious targets for the development of renewable energy, which will give rise to large capital requirements in the region. The sovereign rating may be a critical factor in our assessment of credit strength of renewable projects due to the government-related entity status of many off-takers or entire projects. 

Aramco's SABIC Deal Echoes Oil Majors' Vertical Integration

Saudi Aramco's acquisition of SABIC (both rated A+/Stable) echoes efforts made by global oil majors and national oil companies to integrate further into downstream and petrochemicals. Refining and petrochemical margins are countercyclical to oil prices and represent a hedge against low oil prices.

Fitch Rates Saudi Aramco's Debut Bonds Final 'A+'

Saudi Aramco is the world's largest oil producer and the national oil company of Saudi Arabia (A+/Stable). Its standalone profile corresponds to a rating of 'AA+', which sits at the upper boundary of the Fitch rating spectrum for oil and gas companies, and reflects the company's high production, vast reserves, low production costs and very conservative financial profile. 

Milken Institute MENA Summit - New Opportunities From a World in Transition

James McCormack, global head of sovereign and supranational group, discusses how Fitch Ratings is approaching a world in transition at the Milken MENA Summit in Abu Dhabi.

Fitch Ratings Overview on Global Islamic Finance

Now Available On-Demand

Listen now to Fitch Ratings' latest webcast on Global Islamic Finance. The presentation provides an overview of Fitch’s Global Islamic Finance Coverage, Islamic Finance Performance and Outlook in key markets, Fitch’s Islamic Finance Rating approach, with Sukuk rating Criteria in focus

Listen Now

Fitch Publishes Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's 'AA' First-Time IDR

ADNOC is the national oil company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is one of the largest oil producers globally. On a standalone basis ADNOC's rating corresponds to 'AA+' and reflects the company's high upstream output coupled with low production costs, significant reserves, downstream integration and a conservative financial profile. The Outlook is stable. 

Sovereign Hot Spots: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and South Africa

Now On-Demand

Fitch Ratings is hosting a panel discussion with senior analysts from the global Sovereigns team to discuss our most asked about “Hot Spots”.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Argentina: Macro Policy Adjustment and Risks Ahead
• Brazil: Is the Optimism Justified?
• Mexico: Factors to Resolve its Negative Outlook
• Turkey: Navigating Economic Adjustment, Policy Settings, and Political Risks
• South Africa: Weak Growth, Fiscal Pressures, and Risks Around Parliamentary Elections

Available On-Demand Here

James McCormack Discusses Generating Jobs in Saudi Arabia on CNBC

Fitch's James McCormack, global head of sovereign ratings, discusses the changing workforce in the kingdom and the opportunities for the private sector.

Operating Environment Key Sensitivity for Turkish Islamic Banks

Fitch Ratings says the market share of Turkey's participation (Islamic) banks has remained broadly stable and growth is set to remain subdued in the short term due to the weaker growth outlook, the high interest-rate environment, the end to FC-indexed financing and asset-quality pressures.

Sukuk Issuance Volumes Normalise From 2017 Record High

Sukuk issuance in the ten largest markets fell last year following record issuance in 2017, Fitch Ratings says. We do not believe this reflects long-term trends, but it shows how issuance volumes can be influenced by the activity of individual borrowers, notably oil-exporting sovereigns. 

GCC Budgets Will Struggle to Offset Lower Oil Prices

Fiscal balances are set to weaken across much of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 2019, maintaining pressure on sovereign balance sheets. The effects of fiscal policy loosening that started last year will be exacerbated by lower oil prices. 2019 budgets so far point to higher spending and gradual fiscal reform, but we expect that weaker oil prices will prompt several countries to pare back their spending during the year.

New Dubai Event Launches Fitch Ratings' Credit Outlook Series

Fitch Ratings' annual series of Credit Outlook events launches on 12 December with a new event in Dubai that will blend Fitch's own regional expertise and thought leadership with further insights from guest speakers and panellists.

Getlink's Notes Assigned 'BB+' Final Rating

GET's debt is structurally subordinated to the project-finance type debt in place at CLEF. There are strong structural protections under CLEF's issuer-borrower structure, including lock-up provisions potentially triggering cash sweep and additional indebtedness clauses subject to ratings tests, which limits debt push down.

Fitch Ratings Authorized to Conduct Credit Rating Activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Fitch Ratings today announces it has obtained authorization from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to conduct credit rating activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To support the ongoing development of Saudi Arabia's capital market, Fitch Ratings will establish an on-the-ground presence in Riyadh.