The Arab Energy Fund announced that it recorded a net income of $125.4 million during the first half of 2026, while its total assets increased to $14 billion, with a growth of 16 percent on an annual basis.
According to the company's statement, the fund's operating profit reached $144.2 million, a growth of more than 16 percent on an annual basis, while total shareholders' equity rose to $3.8 billion.
The CEO of the Arab Energy Fund, Khaled Al-Ruweig, said that the fund’s performance during the first half “reflects the flexibility of the Arab Energy Fund and the strength of our diversified business model,” noting the continued focus on disciplined implementation of the strategy, risk management, and support of partners in the energy sector.
He added that the strong balance sheet and solid capital position provide a basis for continuing to mobilize capital and invest in the advanced energy system in the region.
The capital adequacy ratio reached 27.91 percent as of June 30, 2026, while the value of the outstanding sukuk and bonds amounted to about $6.9 billion at the end of the period.
The Fund's Chief Financial Officer, Vicky Bhatia, said that the first half results reflect strong management of the balance sheet and operational flexibility, noting the achievement of a net income of $125.4 million, in conjunction with the growth of the asset base to $14 billion and maintaining the capital adequacy ratio at 27.91 percent.
The value of corporate finance services assets amounted to $6.2 billion during the first half, while the investments and partnerships sector recorded assets worth $1.89 billion.
Treasury and capital markets assets amounted to $5.42 billion, while the sector continued to support the Fund’s financing, liquidity management and balance sheet activities.
During the first half of 2026, the Fund raised about $1.35 billion through sukuk and bond issuances, in addition to fixed-term financing worth $350 million.
The Fund enters the second half of the year, relying on its balance sheet and capital position, to continue investing capital and seizing opportunities that enhance energy security, contribute to developing infrastructure and supporting long-term economic growth in the region.
Official data showed, on Wednesday, that Japan's imports of crude oil rose by 13.1 percent last August, compared to the previous year, driven by a jump in supplies from America, as well as the contribution of increased supplies from Mexico and a recovery in purchases from Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reported that imports rose to 2.51 million barrels per day, recording a monthly increase, for the third month in a row, despite the turmoil resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
Imports from the Middle East fell by 28.4 percent year-on-year in August.
Although the pace of decline in shipments from the Middle East was less severe compared to the declines recorded in previous months, it exceeded the 21.4 percent decline recorded in July.
In contrast, imports from the United States jumped more than 12-fold, compared to the previous year, to reach 844,685 barrels per day, and supplies from Central and South America, including Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia, also witnessed a sharp increase.
It is noteworthy that the Middle East region used to account for 94 percent of Japan’s crude imports, but this share decreased in August to 60.7 percent, recording an annual decline, for the eleventh month in a row, while the United States’ share reached 33.7 percent, a percentage close to Saudi Arabia’s share of 34 percent.
The data showed that sales of domestic petroleum products in Japan decreased last month by 3.2 percent, compared to the previous year, to reach 2.19 million barrels per day.
The Pakistani government announced that the public will be allowed to trade government financial securities, including treasury bills and bonds, through the stock market, as part of efforts to improve compliance with the requirements of the International Monetary Fund program, which is currently being reviewed by a delegation of Fund employees visiting the country in preparation for disbursing about $1.2 billion.
The announcement of a strategic action plan to develop the local currency bond market came after a regular opening meeting between the Minister of Finance, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and a delegation of International Monetary Fund employees headed by Eva Petrova, according to what the Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.
The mission held discussions with the Pakistani authorities regarding developments in the energy sector, the privatization file, issues of the oil sector, the Federal Board of Revenue, and the automobile sector.
It was reported that the Minister of Finance briefed the mission on the latest macroeconomic indicators, the improvement in credit ratings, and the investment climate in general, in light of the difficult prospects resulting from the continuation of the long-term US-Iranian conflict, including its impact on revenues.
