SAMA Assets Update: Net Foreign Assets Rise to SAR1.66 trillion in September

Driving the news: Net foreign possessions at the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA )increased 3.73 %year on year at the end of September. They reached about $442.69 billion(SAR 1.660 trillion ), according to SAMA’s month-to-month study. A year previously, the figure stood at$ 426.77 billion(SAR 1.600 trillion).

Why it matters: Foreign properties support the riyal’s peg to the United States dollar. They likewise provide the Kingdom a deep monetary cushion as it funds Vision 2030 tasks. The yearly gain reveals that SAMA’s external position stays strong.

The huge photo: On a month-to-month basis, net foreign possessions slipped 4.6 %from August’s$ 464.14 billion(SAR 1.740 trillion). The figure has actually relieved for 3 straight months. September’s level is the most affordable given that December 2025, when it stood at$436.59 billion(SAR 1.637 trillion). Nevertheless, the balance stays well above its level of a year earlier.

Foreign Securities Lead the Annual Gain

Focus: Larger SAMA information includes beneficial context. Overall SAMA possessions stood at SAR 1.94 trillion($517.59 billion)at the end of August, according to the analysis of the bank’s regular monthly stats. That figure sits 2.08%listed below the SAR 1.982 trillion($528.57 billion) taped a year previously.

The mix of possessions moved towards longer-term holdings. SAMA’s financial investments in foreign securities leapt 17.31% year on year to SAR 1.16 trillion ($309.7 billion). They now represent about 60% of overall properties. Foreign currencies and gold fell 5.21% to SAR 274.84 billion ($73.29 billion).

Earlier figures point the exact same method, as reports exposed that the Kingdom’s reserve properties abroad reached SAR 1,854.6 billion ($494.56 billion) in June 2026. That marked a 1% increase from May. Net foreign properties likewise climbed up 8% year on year, or SAR 138.3 billion ($36.88 billion), because month. Foreign currency reserves comprised about 95% of the overall. In addition, the Kingdom’s gold reserve has actually remained at SAR 1.62 billion ($432 million) because February 2008.

By the numbers:

• Net foreign possessions (end-September 2026): $442.69 billion (SAR 1.660 trillion), up 3.73% year on year from $426.77 billion (SAR 1.600 trillion).
• Regular monthly modification: down 4.6% from $464.14 billion (SAR 1.740 trillion) in August.
• Least expensive level considering that: December 2025, at $436.59 billion (SAR 1.637 trillion).
• Monetary base: $117.6 billion (SAR 440.99 billion), up about 3.7% from $113.36 billion (SAR 425.11 billion) a year previously.
• Liabilities to the federal government: $86.02 billion (SAR 322.56 billion), down 18.4% from $105.41 billion (SAR 395.28 billion).
• Overall SAMA possessions (end-August 2026): $517.59 billion (SAR 1.941 trillion), down 2.08% from $528.57 billion (SAR 1.982 trillion).
• Foreign securities holdings (end-August 2026): SAR 1.16 trillion ($309.7 billion), up 17.31% year on year.

Monetary Base Grows, Government Liabilities Fall

The financial base increased about 3.7% year on year at the end of September. It reached $117.6 billion (SAR 440.99 billion), compared to $113.36 billion (SAR 425.11 billion) in September 2025. On a month-to-month basis, the base alleviated from August’s $118.27 billion (SAR 443.52 billion).

The financial base has 3 parts: deposits at the reserve bank, money in vault, and currency distributing outdoors banks. At the end of August, deposits from regional banks amounted to $46.46 billion (SAR 174.23 billion). Money in vault stood at $5.45 billion (SAR 20.45 billion). Currency distributing outdoors banks reached $66.36 billion (SAR 248.84 billion).

SAMA’s liabilities to the federal government likewise fell. They dropped 18.4% year on year to $86.02 billion (SAR 322.56 billion), compared to $105.41 billion (SAR 395.28 billion) a year previously. On a month-to-month basis, they decreased 9.87% from August’s $95.44 billion (SAR 357.9 billion). As an outcome, the reserve bank now brings lower commitments towards the federal government than it did a year back.

What’s next: SAMA’s properties likewise alleviated 2.08% year on year at the end of August, to $517.59 billion (SAR 1.941 trillion). They consist of the money reserve cover, which covers foreign currency and gold, money in vault, deposits with banks abroad, and financial investments in foreign securities, plus other possessions.

Experts will now view SAMA’s October study. It will reveal whether net foreign properties support after 3 month-to-month decreases. The sharp increase in foreign securities holdings signals that SAMA continues to funnel its reserves into longer-term international financial investments. In general, the yearly gain in net foreign properties, the growing financial base, and the lower federal government liabilities all indicate a steady financial position.

Brief link:

Views: 74