SoftBank\'s Saudi ties unnerve investors as journalist crisis deepens

The suspected murder by Saudi Arabia of its dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi has sparked a diplomatic crisis... But business confidence in the kingdom too is being severely shaken..

The latest example - Japan's Softbank.

Its shares dropping on Monday..

The conglomerate's 100 billion dollar Vision Fund is almost half financed by Riyadh.

SOUNDBITE (English) IG SENIOR ANALYST, CHRIS BEAUCHAMP, SAYING: "We'll see these ramifications across global markets everywhere that Saudi Arabia has made itself felt in terms of money." Other investors are also wary.

JP Morgan's CEO Jamie Dimon and Ford's Chairman Bill Ford have pulled out of a Saudi investor conference this month Putting pressure on others like Goldman Sachs not to attend the so-called 'Davos of the desert' SOUNDBITE (English) IG SENIOR ANALYST, CHRIS BEAUCHAMP, SAYING: "It does mark a radical departure for the Saudis to do something that is so clearly against the norms of international law and diplomacy.

I think the ramifications could be quite big here if the U.S. particularly does come down and say they are guilty of murdering Mr Khashoggi." Oil-rich Saudi Arabia has warned the international community not to punish it over false accusations... or risk a response of 'greater action'..

SOUNDBITE (English) IG SENIOR ANALYST, CHRIS BEAUCHAMP, SAYING: "The Kingdom is still desperate for oil revenues.

It need it to keep everything ticking over despite the reforms made by the crown prince.

An out and out confrontation with the West is not something the Kingdom could sustain for any long period of time." One of the most profitable deals the kingdom's made recently though is still in tact - A multi billion dollar arms deal with the U.S. President Trump has repeatedly said he will not pull out of it.

Because it provides Americans with thousands of jobs.