Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 12,182

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR8.42 billion ($2.24 billion), as 79 stocks advanced, while 143 retreated. File photo
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR8.42 billion ($2.24 billion), as 79 stocks advanced, while 143 retreated. File photo
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Updated 27 August 2024
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 12,182

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 12,182

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Tuesday, losing 78.98 points, or 0.64 percent, to close at 12,182.20.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR8.42 billion ($2.24 billion), as 79 stocks advanced, while 143 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased by 11.85 points, or 0.77 percent, to close at 1,524.59.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also dipped, losing 42.82 points, or 0.16 percent, to close at 26,391.09. This comes as 28 stocks advanced, while as many as 37 retreated. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Red Sea International Co., with its share price surging 7.53 percent to SR41.40.

Other top performers included Allianz Saudi Fransi Cooperative Insurance Co. and Zamil Industrial Investment Co., with share prices rising by 5.54 percent to SR17.14 and 4.51 percent to SR26.65.

Najran Cement Co. and Savola Group also recorded positive trajectories today.

The worst performer was Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., with its share price falling by 7.69 percent to SR0.12.

Miahona Co. and Sustained Infrastructure Holding Co. also saw significant declines, with their shares dropping by 4.67 percent and 3.42 percent to SR31.65 and SR33.85, respectively.

On the announcement front, Saudi Networkers Services Co. announced its interim financial results for the first six months of this year.

The company’s net profit surged by 19.2 percent in this period, reaching SR19.7 million compared to SR16.5 million in the similar period for the previous year.

Its sales rose by 2 percent from SR276.4 million in the first half of 2023 to SR282.2 million in 2024 due to increase in business activities with the existing customers and addition of new customers.

Molan Steel Co. also announced its financial results for the same period with net losses easing by 21 percent to SR2.4 million in 2024 from SR3.1 million in the first six months of 2023.

In a statement on Tadawul, the firm said that the main reason for the decrease in net losses is due to not having provisions related to inventory and customers because of the efficient operating cycle for the inventory and customers. 

The company’s sales dropped by 9.3 percent reaching SR39.8 million this year down from SR43.9 million last year, driven by a decrease in the selling price of products by 7.5 percent.

For the first half of this year, Sure Global Tech Co.’s net profits edged up by 1.5 percent to reach SR16.1 million, up from SR15.9 million in the same period in 2023.

This upward trajectory was attributed to the company obtaining new projects during the first half of 2024, as part of those projects were completed during the current period of 2024, as revenues increased by 23.89 percent and by a value of SR102.4 million compared to the same period of the previous year.

The company’s sales also surged, reaching SR102.4 million, up by 23.8 percent from SR82.6 million in 2023. This was mainly due to an increase in the cost of revenues and a decrease in other revenues.

Starting Aug. 27,  trading of Altharwah Albashariyyah Co.’s shares began on the parallel market at a price of SR62 per share, under the ticker symbol 9606.

The company offered 705,700 shares to qualified investors, representing 15 percent of its total capital, which amounts to SR23.5 million after the offering, divided into 4.71 million shares with a nominal value of SR5 per share. The offering was oversubscribed by 107.9 percent, according to Al-Ekhbariya.


SRC and Hassana launch mortgage-backed securities to boost real estate investment

SRC and Hassana launch mortgage-backed securities to boost real estate investment
Updated 19 sec ago
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SRC and Hassana launch mortgage-backed securities to boost real estate investment

SRC and Hassana launch mortgage-backed securities to boost real estate investment

RIYADH: The region’s first-of-its-kind residential mortgage-backed securities will be available in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom seeks to enhance liquidity and expand investment opportunities in the real estate finance sector. 

A memorandum of understanding, signed between the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Co., a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, and Hassana Investment Co., seeks to diversify Saudi Arabia’s financial markets by introducing an innovative asset class. 

The issuance of mortgage-backed securities is anticipated to attract a wide base of local and global investors to the secondary mortgage market, creating new opportunities for investment in the sector. 

Majeed Al-Abduljabbar, CEO of SRC, said: “Our partnership with Hassana marks a significant milestone in supporting the evolution of the housing finance landscape and fostering the development of Saudi Arabia’s capital markets.” 

He added: “Together, we aim to introduce innovative financial solutions that deliver value to both investors and citizens while aligning with Vision 2030’s objectives.” 

The deal, signed in the presence of Majid Al-Hogail, minister of municipalities and housing, and Mohammed Al-Jadaan, minister of finance, aligns with the Housing Program and Financial Sector Development Program under Vision 2030. 

“This collaboration establishes a new standard for partnerships, enabling the development of scalable financial solutions that contribute to the Kingdom’s economic development goals. It aligns with Hassana’s strategy of diversifying its investment portfolios through long-term partnerships with entities like SRC,” said Saad Al-Fadhli, CEO of Hassana. 

Hassana’s participation as a key institutional investor underscores the potential to create sustainable economic investment opportunities. 

This comes as the Kingdom’s real estate market continues to show strong demand, with annual growth in residential sales transaction volumes across major metropolitan areas. 

Saudi banks’ mortgage lending hit a near three-year high of SR10.06 billion ($2.7 billion) in November, marking a 51.23 percent year-on-year increase and the highest monthly amount in over two years, according to data from the Kingdom’s central bank.

This surge reflects strong activity in the housing market, with houses accounting for 65 percent of the loans, followed by apartments at 31 percent and land purchases at 4 percent. 

As part of its Vision 2030 agenda, the Kingdom is fast-tracking residential construction, particularly in Riyadh, to accommodate its growing population and attract international talent.


Qatar’s foreign merchandise trade balance surplus slips 5%

Qatar’s foreign merchandise trade balance surplus slips 5%
Updated 02 January 2025
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Qatar’s foreign merchandise trade balance surplus slips 5%

Qatar’s foreign merchandise trade balance surplus slips 5%

RIYADH: Qatar recorded a foreign merchandise trade balance surplus of 57.7 billion Qatari riyals ($15.8 billion) in the third quarter of 2024, down 5 percent year on year, new data revealed.

Merchandise trade balance surplus is the difference between total exports and imports.

According to figures released by the Gulf nation’s Planning and Statistics Authority, the country’s total exports in the third quarter of 2024 — including domestic goods and re-exports — were valued at 87.8 billion riyals. This represents a 2.2 percent decline compared to the same period in 2023.

The value of Qatar’s imports during the same period amounted to 30.1 billion riyals, up 4.1 percent compared to the same quarter in 2023.

The figures fall in with the nation’s trajectory to restore government revenues to pre-2014 oil price shock levels and double its economy by 2031, according to an analysis by Standard Chartered in August.

The data also reflects the steady growth of Qatar’s non-oil economy, contributing to two-thirds of the country’s gross domestic product.

Exports breakdown

The figures further disclosed that the drop in exports is mainly attributed to lower exports of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials by 5 billion riyals, or 6.5 percent, and miscellaneous manufactured articles by 100 million riyals, or 22 percent.

Increases were mainly recorded in chemicals and related products by 1.5 billion riyals, or 24.5 percent, machinery and transport equipment by 1.2 billion riyals, or 53.3 percent, and manufactured goods classified chiefly by material by 400 billion riyals, or 17.1 percent.

Exports of crude materials, inedible, except fuels, also witnessed a rise of 100 million, or 24.8 percent.

Imports breakdown

The rise in import values is mainly linked to increases in machinery and transport equipment by 800 million riyals, or 6.7 percent, chemicals and related products by 400 million riyals, or 17.2 percent, and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials by 320 million riyals, or 58.2 percent.

Imports of food and live animals also jumped by 300 million riyals or 9.8 percent.

Meanwhile, decreases were recorded mainly in miscellaneous manufactured articles by 400 million, or 6.7 percent as well as manufactured goods classified chiefly by material by 300 million, or 7.7 percent.

Principal destinations

The PSA data showed that Asia was the principal destination of exports for the country, representing 75.9 percent, as well as the primary origin of Qatar’s imports, accounting for 39.7 percent.

The Gulf Cooperation Council followed, accounting for 11.6 percent of exports and 11.3 percent of imports, respectively.

The EU came next, with 7.7 percent of exports and 26 percent of imports.


Turkish manufacturing sector nears stabilization in December, PMI shows

Turkish manufacturing sector nears stabilization in December, PMI shows
Updated 02 January 2025
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Turkish manufacturing sector nears stabilization in December, PMI shows

Turkish manufacturing sector nears stabilization in December, PMI shows
  • Employment in the manufacturing sector saw a renewed decline, reversing a rise in November
  • Input costs increased sharply due to higher raw material prices

ISTANBUL: Turkiye’s manufacturing sector contracted at the slowest rate in eight months in December, a business survey showed on Thursday, in a sign that the sector is nearing stabilization.
The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 49.1 last month from 48.3 in November, moving nearer to the 50.0 threshold denoting growth, according to the survey by the Istanbul Chamber of Industry and S&P Global.
“December PMI data provided plenty of hope for the sector in 2025. While business conditions continued to moderate, the latest slowdown was only marginal as signs of improvement were seen in a range of variables across the survey,” said Andrew Harker, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
The survey highlighted a softer moderation in production, which declined at the slowest pace in nine months, suggesting some improvement in demand. The rate of slowdown in new orders and purchasing eased, although demand remained subdued.
“If this momentum can be built on at the start of 2025, we could see the sector return to growth. The prospects for the sector should be helped by a much more benign inflationary environment than has been the case in recent years,” Harker said.
Despite the positive signs, employment in the manufacturing sector saw a renewed decline, reversing a rise in November, the survey showed.
Input costs increased sharply due to higher raw material prices, but the rate of output price inflation slowed to its weakest in over five years as some firms offered discounts to boost sales. 


Oil Updates — crude rises as investors return from holidays, eye China recovery 

Oil Updates — crude rises as investors return from holidays, eye China recovery 
Updated 02 January 2025
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Oil Updates — crude rises as investors return from holidays, eye China recovery 

Oil Updates — crude rises as investors return from holidays, eye China recovery 

SINGAPORE: Oil prices nudged higher on Thursday, the first day of trade for 2025, as investors returning from holidays cautiously eyed a recovery in China’s economy and fuel demand following a pledge by President Xi Jinping to promote growth, according to Reuters. 

Brent crude futures rose 17 cents, or 0.06 percent, to $74.82 a barrel by 08:47 a.m. Saudi time after settling up 65 cents on Tuesday, the last trading day for 2024. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 19 cents, or 0.26 percent, to $71.91 a barrel after closing 73 cents higher in the previous session. 

China’s Xi said on Tuesday in his New Year’s address that the country would implement more proactive policies to promote growth in 2025. 

China’s factory activity grew in December, according to the private-sector Caixin/S&P Global survey on Thursday, but at a slower than expected pace amid concerns over the trade outlook and risks from tariffs proposed by US President-elect Donald Trump. 

The data echoed an official survey released on Tuesday that showed China’s manufacturing activity barely grew in December, though services and construction recovered. The data suggested policy stimulus is trickling into some sectors as China braces for new trade risks. 

Traders are returning to their desks and probably weighing higher geopolitical risks and also the impact of Trump running the US economy red hot versus the impact of tariffs, IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said. 

“Tomorrow’s US ISM manufacturing release will be key to crude oil’s next move,” Sycamore added. 

Sycamore said WTI’s weekly chart is winding itself into a tighter range, which suggests a big move is coming. 

“Rather than trying to predict in which way the break will occur, we would be inclined to wait for the break and then go with it,” he added. 

Investors are also awaiting weekly US oil stocks data from the Energy Information Administration that has been delayed until Thursday due to the New Year holiday. 

US crude oil and distillate stockpiles are expected to have fallen last week while gasoline inventories likely rose, an extended Reuters poll showed on Tuesday.  

US oil demand surged to the highest levels since the pandemic in October at 21.01 million barrels per day, up about 700,000 bpd from September, EIA data showed on Tuesday. 

Crude output from the world’s top producer rose to a record 13.46 million bpd in October, up 260,000 bpd from September, the report showed. 

In 2025, oil prices are likely to be constrained near $70 a barrel, down for a third year after a 3 percent decline in 2024, as weak Chinese demand and rising global supplies offset efforts by OPEC+ to shore up the market, a Reuters monthly poll showed. 

In Europe, Russia halted gas exports via Soviet-era pipelines running through Ukraine on New Year’s Day. The widely expected stoppage will not impact prices for consumers in the EU as some buyers have arranged alternative supply, while Hungary will keep receiving Russian gas via the TurkStream pipeline under the Black Sea. 


Saudi Venture Capital invests in VC fund by Global Ventures

Saudi Venture Capital invests in VC fund by Global Ventures
Updated 01 January 2025
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Saudi Venture Capital invests in VC fund by Global Ventures

Saudi Venture Capital invests in VC fund by Global Ventures
  • Fund will include supply chain technology, agritech, enterprise software as a service, and emerging technologies
  • Partnership underscores growing commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship

RIYADH: Startups in Saudi Arabia’s technology sector are poised to benefit from a new investment announcement by Saudi Venture Capital, which has committed funds to Global Ventures III, according to a press release.

The early-stage venture capital fund managed by Global Ventures exceeds $150 million in size and will primarily target investments in technology and tech-enabled sectors across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The focus areas for the VC fund will include supply chain technology, agritech, enterprise software as a service, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and deep-tech.

Established in 2018, SVC is a subsidiary of the Small and Medium Enterprises Bank, which is part of Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund. 

The investment is in line with SVC’s broader goal of boosting venture capital activity in the Kingdom and supporting the growth of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises in the region.

Nabeel Koshak, the CEO and board member at SVC, highlighted the strategic importance of this investment, saying: “Our investment in the venture capital fund by Global Ventures is part of SVC’s Investment in Funds Program, in alignment with our strategy to catalyze venture investments by fund managers investing in Saudi-based startups, especially during their early stage.”

Noor Sweid, founder and managing partner at Global Ventures, emphasized the significance of the investment in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem. 

“The market opportunity continues to be immense, with emerging technologies across platforms being built by exceptional founders continuing to shine through,” Sweid said.

The partnership underscores the growing commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.