Positive performance at the start of trading
The Saudi Stock Exchange's main index (TASI) opened trading on Thursday with a notable rise, gaining 0.3% to reach 10,665 points. This positive performance at the start of the session reflects cautious optimism among investors, supported by early liquidity of approximately SAR 94 million, resulting from the trading of nearly 3.3 million shares. According to data from Tadawul, the total market capitalization at the start of trading reached SAR 9.021 trillion, confirming its position as the largest financial market in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The session began with a broad rally, with 200 companies seeing their share prices rise, compared to only 36 companies whose shares declined, out of a total of 262 companies listed on the main market. Leading the gainers were companies such as Saudi Cable, Red Sea, Andalus, Sidq, and Sanad Holding. Conversely, the biggest losers included Tadawul Group, Al-Mousa, Eastern Development, Naqi, and Jazeera Takaful.
Stability in the parallel market “growth”
On the parallel market (Nomu), the index remained stable at 23,907 points at the start of trading. Trading value on Nomu reached approximately SAR 670,000, with a volume of 133,500 shares traded, and a total market capitalization of SAR 43.2 million. The parallel market, dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), saw six companies' shares rise while three declined, out of a total of 126 listed companies.
The economic context and the importance of the "Tadawul" market
The performance of the Saudi stock market is a vital indicator of the health of the national economy and reflects the confidence of local and international investors in the growth trajectory. These developments come within the framework of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to diversify its economy away from oil, as part of its Vision 2030. In recent years, the Saudi financial market has undergone profound structural reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and attracting foreign investment, culminating in its inclusion in major global emerging market indices such as MSCI and FTSE Russell.
Regional and international impact
The impact of the Saudi Stock Exchange (TASI) is not limited to the local level; its size and influence extend to regional markets. Saudi market movements often lead the direction of other stock markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Internationally, global investors closely monitor the market's performance as it provides a window into the economic conditions of the world's largest oil exporter and is home to world-class companies, most notably Saudi Aramco, making it a key component of the portfolios of investors specializing in emerging markets.
