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Saudi Arabia Poised To Raise Oil Prices To Asia, Reaching 14-Month High

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Saudi Arabia is set to significantly increase its official selling prices (OSPs) for crude oil to Asia for March shipments, marking the largest hike since January 2024. This move is driven by tighter supply and rising benchmark prices, largely influenced by OPEC+ production cuts, reduced exports from Iran and Russia, and recent U.S. sanctions on Russian oil.

As the Middle East’s key crude benchmarks continue to surge on the back of limited Russian supply to major Asian markets like China and India, Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil giant, Aramco, is expected to raise its flagship Arab Light grade prices by up to $2.50 per barrel over Oman and Dubai benchmarks, according to a Reuters survey of Asian refiners. Some refinery sources predict the hike could reach as high as $3 per barrel.

If the expected increase is confirmed next week, the price of Arab Light could rise to a premium of at least $3.50 per barrel over the Oman/Dubai average, the highest premium since early 2024. This would follow Saudi Arabia’s February price hike, which surpassed expectations due to tightening supply in Asia, exacerbated by ongoing OPEC+ cuts and the decline in Russian and Iranian oil exports.

The surge in Oman and Dubai benchmarks in the past month has been driven by the decrease in Russian and Iranian output, with the U.S. imposing stricter sanctions on Russian oil trade starting January 10. Saudi Arabia typically announces its pricing for the next month by the 5th, setting the pace for other Middle Eastern oil producers’ prices in Asia.

Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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