6 things to watch on Tadawul today

Here are a few things you need to know as Saudi stocks start trading on Wednesday.

1) Global index compiler MSCI will announce a decision on the potential upgrade of Saudi Arabia to an emerging market status today, as part of its 2018 Annual Market Classification Review.

2) The additional provisioning requirements for Saudi banks under IFRS 9 standards will remain "modest" in 2018 and will result in higher net profits due to gradual economic recovery, according to Moody's Investors Service.

3) Real GDP growth in the GCC is expected to improve to 2.2 percent in 2018 from a contraction of 0.3 percent last year, driven by a substantial increase in public spending and a gradual increase in oil production, Institute of International Finance said.

4) Franklin Templeton funds were approved to be Qualified Foreign Investors in Saudi Arabia, which allows them to invest directly in Tadawul.

5) Invesco, a US investment management company, has launched the first exchange traded fund offering investors in Europe exposure to Saudi Arabia.

6) OPEC and non-members will meet on June 22 in Vienna to discuss on the future of their deal that has seen them collaborate to curb output in a bid to support oil prices.