The key focus for rated GCC corporates will be on preservation rather than growth as key priorities for businesses include cost optimization, managing liquidity, and cash flow preservation, said S&P Global Ratings in a new report.

Meanwhile, new investments expected to take a back seat for most sectors, according to the report “Twin Shocks of Low Oil and COVID-19 Mean Double Trouble for GCC Corporates”.

The agency expects a mid-to-high single digit real GDP contraction for most rated GCC sovereigns in 2020 and operating conditions to remain weak over the next few quarters.

The ratings firm expects a more cautious spending approach from oil and gas players, with capital expenditure cuts and downward revisions from 2020 guidance already announced so far. However, GCC national oil companies should benefit from their cost advantage compared with global peers in the low oil price environment.

Overall, the region has witnessed a decline in new investments and the reduction and postponement of capital expenditures by a number of companies – particularly those in the real estate sector. However, the deterioration appears to be relatively limited for telecom operators, utilities, and some government-related entities (GRE). The region's leading national oil companies have also announced deferments to investments.

“Regional banks however, still remain accommodative to good credits, providing funding at better terms than the capital markets. Therefore, we expect relatively limited debt capital market activity for most rated GCC corporates in 2020, outside of opportunistic refinancing.” S&P Global Ratings said in the report. – TradeArabia News Service