The Saudi Stock Exchange's main index (TASI) opened trading on Wednesday with a notable rise, gaining 0.15% to reach 10,908 points. This positive performance comes amid active trading, reflecting investor confidence in the market, with morning trading volume reaching approximately 500 million Saudi riyals.
According to data released by the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), the morning session saw a significant trading volume of approximately 18.2 million shares, contributing to a rise in the market's total capitalization to SAR 9.205 trillion. This increase is considered a positive indicator of market stability and its ability to attract liquidity, particularly amidst volatile global economic challenges.
Company and sector performance
Trading screens showed a mixed performance among listed companies, with gains generally prevailing. Shares of 125 companies rose in market value during early trading, reflecting a sense of optimism among traders. Leading the list of top gainers were Al Waha, Al Asmak, Marana, Arab Insurance, and Shari. Conversely, shares of 103 companies declined out of a total of 266 listed on the main market, with Sadarat, Salama, Masar, Research and Media, and Derayah among the biggest losers.
Economic context and the importance of the Saudi market
The performance of the Saudi stock market is of particular importance as it is the largest financial market in the Middle East and North Africa region and a true reflection of the strength of the Saudi economy. These movements come amidst the structural economic reforms the Kingdom is undergoing as part of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify income sources and attract foreign investment. The index's stability above psychological and technical support levels enhances the market's attractiveness to international investment portfolios, especially after the Saudi market's inclusion in global emerging market indices such as MSCI and FTSE Russell.
Parallel market movement (growth)
On the other hand, the parallel market index (Nomu) recorded a slight decline at the start of the session, falling by 0.15% to settle at 23,632 points. Trading value in this market, dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reached approximately SAR 928,000, with 94,700 shares traded, for a total market capitalization of SAR 42.6 million. Trading on Nomu saw 9 companies' shares rise, while 8 companies' shares declined, out of a total of 127 listed companies. Despite the slight decline, the parallel market remains a vital channel for financing the SME sector, which is a cornerstone of the Kingdom's future economic growth.
