Saudi Arabia hit by new credit rating downgrade

Saudi Arabia suffered another cut to its credit rating on Saturday as Moody's Investors Service downgraded the kingdom along with Bahrain and Oman because of the slump in oil prices.

Moody's lowered its long-term rating for Saudi Arabia to A1, which denotes low credit risk, down from Aa3, saying lower energy prices "have led to a material deterioration" in the profile of the top oil exporter.

"A combination of lower growth, higher debt levels and smaller domestic and external buffers leave the kingdom less well positioned to weather future shocks," it added.

The oil price collapse, from above $100 in early 2014 to around $46 on Friday, has intensified Saudi efforts to diversify the economy away from oil which makes up the majority of its revenue ©Amer Hilabi (AFP/File)

But ambitious plans announced by Riyadh to diversify its economy could lead to a credit ratings upgrade in the future, Moody's said.

Fellow agencies Standard and Poor's and Fitch have also downgraded Saudi Arabia in recent months.

The crude price collapse, from above $100 in early 2014 to around $46 on Friday, has intensified Saudi efforts to diversify the economy away from oil which makes up the majority of its revenue.

Major oil producers failed to reach an agreement on freezing output in Qatar last month as Saudi Arabia insisted any deal must include all OPEC members, including rival Iran which boycotted the talks.

Moody's lowered its rating for Bahrain to Ba2, which indicates substantial credit risk, from Ba1, with a negative outlook.

It warned that the country's government debt burden was expected "to deteriorate significantly over the coming two to three years."