Credit ratings agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has lowered its outlook on Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to “negative” due to the plunge in oil prices.
Given the high dependence on oil, the country’s strong fiscal position could weaken owing to the oil price decline, S&P said in a statement, AMEinfo reported.
“We are therefore revising our outlook on the long-term ratings on Saudi Arabia to negative from stable and affirming our ‘AA-/A-1+’ ratings,” it said.
The ratings agency also revealed its oil price assumptions for the next three years.
“In view of the sharp fall in international oil prices in recent months, we have significantly lowered our oil price assumptions for 2015-2018. We currently expect an average Brent oil price of $55 per barrel in 2015 and $70 per barrel in 2015-2018,” it said.
The negative outlook reflects the credit rating agency’s view that the oil-rich country’s fiscal position is weakening.
“We could lower the ratings over the next two years if the government’s liquid assets fall well below 100 percent of GDP or its overall fiscal performance significantly weakened by our estimates,” it said.
Bahrain Outlook
Besides Saudi Arabia, Bahrain too was given a “negative” outlook by S&P, following a plunge in oil prices.
The ratings agency expects Bahrain’s fiscal deficit to deteriorate, averaging 5.5 percent of GDP over 2015-2017, versus 3.8 percent of GDP in their December 2014 review.
“We are lowering our sovereign credit ratings on Bahrain to ‘BBB-/A-3?,” S&P said in its statement.
The negative outlook reflects S&P’s view of Bahrain’s weakening fiscal profile and its uncertain policy response.
Abu Dhabi Outlook
S&P affirmed a stable outlook for Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman on the face of falling oil prices.
S&P considers Abu Dhabi’s fiscal and external buffers to be sufficiently strong for the emirate to withstand the lower oil-price trajectory at the current rating level.
“We are therefore affirming our ‘AA/A-1+’ sovereign credit ratings on Abu Dhabi,” it said in the statement.
According to S&P, the stable outlook reflects its view that Abu Dhabi’s economy will remain resilient and its fiscal policy will remain prudent and flexible. However, it also anticipates structural and institutional weaknesses to remain.
Qatar Outlook
Falling oil prices have a moderate negative impact on Qatar’s economic growth outlook.
S&P predicts the real GDP growth rate to average about four percent in 2015-2018, supported by activity in the non-oil sector.
According to credit rating agency, Qatar’s strong economic wealth and net external and fiscal asset positions will balance the risk related to the country’s dependence on the energy sector.
“We are therefore affirming our ‘AA/A-1+’ sovereign credit ratings on Qatar,” it said.
Oman Outlook
The decline in oil prices has a significant impact on the outlook for Oman’s fiscal and external positions, given its high dependence on oil, S&P said in its statement.
The ratings agency forecasts a fiscal deficit equivalent to four percent of GDP in 2015, following five years of surpluses.
“Consequently, we are lowering the ratings on Oman to ‘A-/A-2? from ‘A/A-1?,” it said.
The stable outlook reflects S&P’s view that the fall in nominal GDP and the wealth of the sultanate will not substantially exceed its current expectations and that the eventual succession of the sultan will be smooth.
