S&P says recalibrating the pace of project implementation under Vision 2030 should help contain Saudi Arabia’s fiscal deficit and the pace of government debt accumulation.

Preliminary September University of Michigan consumer sentiment index 47.8, down for a second month but by fewer than 4 index points. Expectations for personal finances and business conditions over the next year fell sharply; Democrats and Republicans both showed large declines while independents were little changed. Consumers cited a rebound in fuel prices and rising trade tensions, saying they expect greater wallet pressure ahead. Five-year expectations for business conditions were unchanged but remain far below historical averages. Overall sentiment is about 16% below February levels before the Iran conflict and 13% below a year ago. One-year inflation expectations jumped to 4.6% from 4.0%, the highest since June and above the February pre-Iran 3.4% and all prior 2024 readings. Long-term inflation expectations ticked up to 3.4% from 3.3%, ending a three-month flat stretch and remaining above the 2.8–3.2% range seen earlier in 2024.

Congo government data show confirmed Ebola deaths have surpassed 7,000.