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Both benchmarks posted strong weekly gains. WTI has surged 10.4% so far this week, while Brent has added 4.9% for its second straight weekly rise. Brent was little changed on Thursday, when WTI gained more than 3%. The spread between the two benchmarks narrowed as WTI outpaced Brent. Bloomberg said Friday’s swing was the first sizeable move in an otherwise range-bound week. Brent had surged above $103 earlier in October before the latest advance.

Monthly inflows in August climbed 21.7% from a year earlier to around $4.2 billion. Egyptians abroad had sent approximately $3.5 billion in August 2025. August transfers were about $300 million lower than in July, when remittances reached $4.5 billion. The cumulative total had stood at $29.7 billion by the end of July. August’s contribution therefore raised the year-to-date figure by 14.1% in a single month.

Oman’s electricity production increased 4.3% year on year during the first eight months of 2026. Total output reached 37,481.8 gigawatt-hours, compared with 35,935.3 GWh in the same period of 2025. The increase amounted to about 1,546.5 GWh. Preliminary figures from the National Centre for Statistics and Information showed gains across several governorates. August production reached 5,743.9 GWh, up from 5,676.9 GWh in July. National output therefore remained above its 2025 level.

Indonesia recorded Rp131.1 trillion, about $7.33 billion, in foreign capital inflows through early October 2026. Most foreign investment moved into government bonds and central bank securities. The Finance Ministry said the year-to-date total remained positive even as overseas investors continued to reduce their exposure to Indonesian shares. Indonesia’s fixed-income market leads foreign investment flows through early October. Foreign investors placed Rp36.7 trillion, or roughly $2.05 billion, into government securities known as SBN during the year. Overseas buyers added nearly Rp8 trillion in government bonds during the first six days of October alone. Bank Indonesia Rupiah Securities, known as SRBI, also attracted strong demand from nonresident investors. Central bank figures showed net foreign settlement inflows into SRBI reached Rp176.50 trillion from January 2 through October 8.

The African Union has formally launched the Africa Credit Rating Agency, known as AfCRA, in Mauritius. The agency will provide credit assessments for African sovereigns, companies, financial institutions and other issuers. Its launch took place in Port Louis during the second African Conference on Credit Ratings. AfCRA will use regional data, African expertise and established credit analysis methods. Mauritius will host the agency’s headquarters as operations expand across the continent. Africa Credit Rating Agency adds a new source of independent regional credit analysis.

Loss-making state enterprises posted about $1.24 billion in combined losses during the six-month period. That works out to roughly $10.1 million for each working day. Government support through subsidies, grants, loans and equity injections reached about $23.8 million per day. The scale of that assistance exceeded the daily loss figure by more than two times. Profitable state companies generated earnings, but those gains remained concentrated among fewer enterprises and sectors.

The UAE recorded $63.353 billion in outward foreign direct investment during 2025, according to UN Trade and Development. The country’s total outward FDI stock reached $402.729 billion at the end of the year. That figure stood at $55.560 billion in 2010. The increase reflects a major expansion in the value of UAE investments held outside the country. Overseas capital now spans major economies, emerging markets and a broad range of industries worldwide. UAE investment capital spans major global markets and strategic industries.

Pakistan raised petrol prices again on October 6, extending an increase announced three days earlier. Petrol climbed by Rs0.88 to Rs393.64 per litre under the latest fuel revision. High-speed diesel fell by Rs1.88 to Rs397.76 per litre. The move followed the October 3 increase in both fuels. Petrol had reached Rs392.76 that day, while diesel moved to Rs399.64. The new rates replaced those levels for the October 6 pricing period.

Brent crude touched $103.06 a barrel during early Asian trading, gaining 81 cents, or 0.79%. WTI rose 46 cents, or 0.50%, to $91.57 before giving up those gains. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis said they launched ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco facilities in Riyadh and Khurais. The claim added to market concern over attacks affecting energy infrastructure and commercial shipping in the Middle East.

Renault Group plans to invest more than €10 billion in France over the next five years. Chief Executive François Provost announced the commitment on October 3. The spending will support electric vehicles and lower-cost models. Renault made about 500,000 vehicles in France during 2025. The company expects French production to increase by at least 25% in 2026. Provost said the investment commitment depends on stable social and political conditions in the country. Renault’s France investment supports electric vehicle output and more affordable car production. (Credit – Renault Group)