Closing Bell: TASI dips to close at 11,503 points

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR13.13 billion ($3.50 billion) as 65 stocks advanced while 161 retreated.   
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR13.13 billion ($3.50 billion) as 65 stocks advanced while 161 retreated.   
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Updated 30 May 2024
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Closing Bell: TASI dips to close at 11,503 points

Closing Bell: TASI dips to close at 11,503 points

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Thursday, losing 193.02 points, or 1.65 percent to close at 11,503.49

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR13.13 billion ($3.50 billion) as 65 stocks advanced while 161 retreated.   

Similarly, the MSCI Tadawul Index dipped by 24.77 points, or 1.70 percent, to close at 1,436.07.

However, the Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, increased by 307.64 points or 1.17 percent, to close at 26,610.57. This comes as 28 stocks advanced, while as many as 30 retreated. 

The best-performing stock was the Mediterranean and Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co., as its share price surged by 7.66 percent to SR29.50.

Other top performers included Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. and Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co., whose share prices soared by 5.37 percent and 4.55 percent, to stand at SR62.80 and SR161 respectively.

National Co. for Learning and Education and East Pipes Integrated Co. for Industry also performed well.

The worst performer was ACWA Power Co. whose share price dropped by 9.98 percent to SR402.40.

Share prices of Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co. as well as the Co. for Cooperative Insurance dropped by 7.89 percent and 6.41 percent to stand at SR8.40 and SR131.40, respectively.

The best-performing stock of the day on the parallel market was Mohammed Hadi Al-Rasheed and Partners Co., as its share price surged by 12.58 percent to SR34.90.

Other top performers included Osool and Bakheet Investment Co. and Abdulaziz and Mansour Ibrahim Albabtin Co., whose share prices soared by 12.38 percent and 6.86 percent, to stand at SR44.95 and SR45.95 respectively.


Oil Updates – prices fall as Hurricane Rafael expected to start weakening

Oil Updates – prices fall as Hurricane Rafael expected to start weakening
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Oil Updates – prices fall as Hurricane Rafael expected to start weakening

Oil Updates – prices fall as Hurricane Rafael expected to start weakening

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell slightly on Friday as the risk that a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico will significantly affect US oil and gas output declined, while the market weighs how President-elect Donald Trump’s policies might affect supplies.

Brent crude oil futures fell 47 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $75.16 per barrel by 7:46 a.m. Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 55 cents or 0.8 percent to $71.81. The benchmarks fell after rising nearly 1 percent on Thursday.

For the week, Brent is set to gain 3.1 percent while WTI is set to rise 4.1 percent

Hurricane Rafael, which has caused 391,214 barrels per day of US crude oil production to be shut, is expected to move slowly westward over the Gulf of Mexico and away from US fields while forecast to weaken from Friday and through the weekend, the US National Hurricane Center said.

Prices gained support on Thursday on expected actions by the incoming Trump administration such as tighter sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, which could limit their supply to global markets.

“Our core view sees Trump adopt a relatively pragmatic approach to policy, in which he either chooses not to pursue more radical policy shifts, or is held back by institutional constraints or the influence of more moderate policy advisers,” BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, said in a note on Friday.

Downward pressure came from data showing crude imports in China, the world’s biggest oil importer, fell 9 percent in October, the sixth consecutive month showing a year-on-year decline, as well as from a rise in US crude inventories.

“The impact (of the Trump administration) on oil market fundamentals in 2025 will likely be somewhat limited,” BMI said. 


Closing Bell: GCC stock markets up in wake of Trump’s election win

Closing Bell: GCC stock markets up in wake of Trump’s election win
Updated 07 November 2024
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Closing Bell: GCC stock markets up in wake of Trump’s election win

Closing Bell: GCC stock markets up in wake of Trump’s election win

RIYADH: Following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, stock markets across the Gulf Cooperation Council saw a strong rally.

Markets posted gains, with Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index finishing 0.31 percent up to close at 12,130.80 points on Thursday. This came after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Trump on winning the election in a phone call on Wednesday, according to the Saudi News Agency.

Dubai’s Financial Market mirrored the upward momentum, climbing 0.60 percent. Abu Dhabi’s Securities Exchange also saw a lift, finishing the day up 0.44 percent.

Bahrain’s Bourse recorded a rise of 0.52 percent, while Kuwait’s main market similarly rose, closing with a 0.10 percent gain.

However, the Muscat Securities Market in Oman saw a 0.17 percent decrease, while the Qatar Stock Exchange was closed for a public holiday. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index on TASI was SR7.53 billion ($2 billion) as 113 of the listed stocks advanced, while 111 retreated.   

Similarly, the MSCI Tadawul Index increased by 2.03 points, or 0.13 percent, to close at 1,521.79.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also climbed by 415.36 points, or 1.44 percent, to close at 29,269.00. This comes as 49 of the listed stocks advanced while as many as 22 retreated.

The best-performing stock of the day was Rasan Information Technology Co., whose share price surged by 7.13 percent to SR78.10.

Other top performers include Miahona Co., and Theeb Rent a Car Co., with Miahona’s share price climbing 6.75 percent to SR29.25 and Theeb’s rising 6.59 percent to SR79.30.

Naseej International Trading Co. and Al Moammar Information Systems Co. also posted rises.

The worst performer was Saudi Arabian Mining Co., whose share price dropped by 4.09 percent to SR53.90.

Other worst performers were Abdulmohsen Alhokair Group for Tourism and Development, whose share price fell by 3.18 percent to SR2.74, and ACWA Power Co., which saw a 2.95 percent drop to SR441.20.

On an announcement front, ACWA Power Co. announced its results for interim financial results for the first nine months of 2024, ending on Sept. 30, with revenues surging by 13.3 percent to reach SR1.74 billion, compared to SR1.542 billion in 2023.

The increase was primarily driven by higher revenue from electricity sales, operation and maintenance services, and additional income from development projects and construction management, the company said on Tadawul. 

BinDawood Holding Co. also disclosed its financial results for the third quarter, with revenues slightly increasing by 0.189 percent to reach SR1.361 compared to the same quarter last year.

The company closed Thursday’s trading session at SR7.02, a 0.29 percent increase.

Saudi Steel Pipe Co. also released its financial results for the nine months of the year, recording SR381 million in revenues, a 20.18 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The company closed today’s trading session at SR71.40, decreasing by 1.27 percent.

The United International Transportation Co. disclosed a 37.052 percent increase in revenues for the first nine months to reach SR505.8 million, compared to SR369.07 million during the same period last year.

This was primarily driven by the expansion of a long-term lease fleet and the resulting higher lease revenues.

The company closed at SR84, with its stock valie declining by 1.55 percent.


ACWA Power reports 16% profit increase amid record project launches

ACWA Power reports 16% profit increase amid record project launches
Updated 07 November 2024
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ACWA Power reports 16% profit increase amid record project launches

ACWA Power reports 16% profit increase amid record project launches

RIYADH: ACWA Power, the Saudi-listed energy and water desalination company, has announced a 16 percent increase in its profits for the first nine months of 2024, underpinned by significant progress in its power and water production projects.

For the period, ACWA Power’s net profit attributable to equity holders reached SR1.25 billion ($334 million), a rise fueled by a 12.5 percent increase in operating income, which reached SR2.36 billion.

This marks a strong improvement from the same period in 2023. According to a company press release, the growth was primarily driven by an investment gain from the restructuring of a project, alongside a capital recycling gain.

ACWA Power’s CEO, Marco Arcelli, highlighted the company’s commitment to growth, noting that its portfolio now includes 26 projects — the largest in its 20-year history.

“These projects reflect both the speed at which we are realizing our growth, through swift financial closes, and the scale of future cash flows from a diverse and young portfolio,” Arcelli said.

He reiterated the company’s focus on providing reliable, cost-effective energy and water, aiming to create positive impacts across all its operations.

Over the past nine months, ACWA Power successfully achieved financial closure on seven major projects worth SR31 billion. These include Saudi Arabia’s Taiba and Qassim Combined Cycle Gas Turbine projects, the Tashkent Solar PV project in Uzbekistan, and the Hassyan Seawater Reverse Osmosis plant in the UAE.

The company’s expansion in power generation is also evident, having added 2.4 GW of capacity during the same period, including the Ar Rass Solar PV project, a 700 MW solar plant that was completed in just 18 months.

On the renewable energy front, ACWA Power secured a 5 GW Power Purchase Agreement for the Aral Wind project in Uzbekistan, as well as 5.5 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity as part of Saudi Arabia’s fourth round of Public Investment Fund projects.

In water desalination, the company signed a Water Purchase Agreement for the 410,000 cubic meters per day Hamriyah Independent Water Project in the UAE.

Abdulhameed Al-Muhaidib, ACWA Power’s Chief Financial Officer, expressed confidence in the company’s future, stating, “In the first nine months of 2024, we saw strong project mobilization, achieving financial closure on seven projects worth SR31 billion. We also began generating revenue from 2.2 GW of projects that reached partial or full commercial operation.”

He added: “Our diversified asset base, visible growth pipeline, and resilient business model, combined with our focus on operational excellence, give us confidence in achieving sustainable, long-term financial performance.”


UAE banking sector’s net international reserves grow 11% by July 2024

UAE banking sector’s net international reserves grow 11% by July 2024
Updated 07 November 2024
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UAE banking sector’s net international reserves grow 11% by July 2024

UAE banking sector’s net international reserves grow 11% by July 2024

RIYADH: The UAE’s banking sector saw a significant increase in its net international reserves, which rose by 11.1 percent— or 127.5 billion dirhams ($34.3 billion) — during the first seven months of 2024.

By the end of July, the reserves totaled 1.273 trillion dirhams, up from 1.145 trillion dirhams at the close of 2023.

According to the Central Bank of the UAE’s June statistical bulletin, the central bank’s share of these reserves stood at 771.6 billion dirhams at the end of July, reflecting a 14.6 percent increase compared to 673.42 billion dirhams at the end of 2023. Meanwhile, the net international reserves of banks operating in the UAE amounted to 501.6 billion dirhams, marking a 6.22 percent rise from 472.2 billion dirhams at the end of last year.

The bulletin also highlighted a notable increase in the central bank’s gold reserves, which grew by 23.5 percent year on year to 21.28 billion dirhams by July’s end, up from 17.226 billion dirhams in July 2023. Over the first seven months of 2024, gold reserves increased by 17.3 percent, from 18.147 billion dirhams at the close of 2023.

In terms of banking operations, the value of transfers processed through the UAE Financial Transfer System exceeded 11.13 trillion dirhams during the first seven months of 2024, reflecting a 17 percent year-on-year growth from 9.5 trillion dirhams in the same period in 2023.

Monthly remittance values were as follows: 1.512 trillion dirhams in January, 1.449 trillion dirhams in February, 1.565 trillion dirhams in March, 1.592 trillion dirhams in April, 1.78 trillion dirhams in May, 1.42 trillion dirhams in June, and 1.81 trillion dirhams in July.

Additionally, the central bank’s data revealed that the value of cheques cleared via image technology totaled 765.08 billion dirhams across more than 13 million cheques during the first seven months of 2024.

The bulletin also showed that cash deposits at the central bank reached 111.4 billion dirhams during the period, while cash withdrawals totaled 120.3 billion dirhams.


MODON signs contracts worth over $533m to establish industrial complexes in Makkah, Al-Kharj

MODON signs contracts worth over $533m to establish industrial complexes in Makkah, Al-Kharj
Updated 07 November 2024
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MODON signs contracts worth over $533m to establish industrial complexes in Makkah, Al-Kharj

MODON signs contracts worth over $533m to establish industrial complexes in Makkah, Al-Kharj

JEDDAH: Agreements to invest over SR2 billion ($533 million) in new industrial complexes will bring growth and job opportunities to Saudi Arabia’s cities of Makkah and Al-Kharj, advancing Vision 2030.

The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, or MODON, signed two contracts with Albaddad Holding to establish complexes within the second industrial cities in both boroughs. 

The inking ceremony took place under the patronage of the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef.

Under the contracts, the company is responsible for developing the infrastructure and constructing ready-made and prefabricated buildings to create a fully integrated complex that supports industrial objectives. 

It will also improve production efficiency and enhance added value and sustainable growth opportunities, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The agreements were signed by MODON’s CEO, Majed Rafed Al-Argoubi, and Zayed bin Hussein Al-Baddad, CEO of Albaddad Holding, in the presence of the company’s chairman, Al-Fateen bin Hussein Al-Baddad.

The initiative aligns with MODON’s vision to be the preferred destination for investment growth and the leading partner for industrial and technology ecosystems, fostering an enabling environment that enhances business sustainability and contributes to national economic development.

These efforts support the goals of Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Strategy and the Vision 2030 objective of transforming the Kingdom into a leading industrial powerhouse.

The Makkah project is MODON’s first privately developed complex, spanning over 1.3 million sq. meters with an investment of SR1.75 billion. 

It aims to localize promising industries through advanced production technology, create 5,000 jobs, and boost national exports, with up to 60 percent of its output targeting markets in Africa, Europe, the Americas, and countries including Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, as well as Iraq.

MODON has also launched several development projects in the second industrial city of Makkah, which is over 4.3 million sq. meters in size, including integrated infrastructure enhanced with essential services and innovative products.

This includes a new 200 megavolt-amperes substation to foster a competitive industrial environment promoting growth and sustainability.

The Al-Kharj industrial complex, spanning over 307,000 sq. meters with an investment of SR375 million, is expected to create approximately 1,000 jobs, supporting industries such as construction, exhibitions, and sports as well as cultural and entertainment events.

It will also enhance the iron, aluminum, glass, and PVC textile industries, with plans to export 60 percent of its production to neighboring Gulf countries.

Through these efforts, MODON is driving industrial growth in the Kingdom by developing and managing distinguished industrial cities and technology zones in collaboration with the public and private sectors.

Currently, the developed land area across 37 industrial cities in Saudi Arabia exceeds 215 million sq. meters, housing approximately 6,882 industrial facilities.