The Saudi Stock Exchange's main index (TASI) recorded a notable positive performance at the start of trading on Wednesday, rising by 0.7% to reach 10,471 points. This rise was accompanied by active trading, with the value of trades in the first few minutes reaching approximately 238.2 million Saudi riyals.
According to data released by the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), the market witnessed heavy trading activity, with approximately 20 million shares traded, reflecting strong investor appetite for buying at the start of the session. Indicating the market's depth and size, the total market capitalization of listed shares reached a record high of SAR 8.735 trillion, further cementing the Saudi market's position as the largest financial market in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Company and sector performance
Today's session was characterized by widespread positivity across the vast majority of market sectors. At the start of trading, 253 companies saw their shares rise, while only 6 companies experienced declines, and the remaining companies out of the 266 listed on the main market remained unchanged. This significant disparity in favor of rising companies indicates a general sense of optimism among traders, supported by stable macroeconomic indicators.
Among the most actively traded stocks, United Insurance, Gulf General, Al Masar Al Shamel, Chubb, and Gypsum Co. topped the list of gainers. Conversely, Jadwa REIT Saudi, STC, Ata’a, Al Mousa, and Arabian Cement were among the biggest losers, although their declines were limited and did not significantly impact the overall upward trend of the general index.
Economic context and market importance
This surge comes amidst the significant economic activity underway in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify income sources and deepen the financial market to attract foreign and domestic investment. The Saudi stock market is a true reflection of the growth of the non-oil private sector, with rising market capitalization and liquidity levels reflecting investor confidence in the strength of the Saudi economy and its ability to withstand global economic challenges.
These moves are particularly significant given the Kingdom's economic weight within the G20, where international investors monitor the Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) as a key indicator of the region's economic health. Positive market performance contributes to strengthening the Kingdom's credit rating and attracting further foreign capital inflows into investment portfolios.
Parallel market performance (growth)
In parallel with the main market, the Nomu Parallel Market Index opened trading on Wednesday in positive territory, rising 0.7% to reach 23,207 points. Trading volume in Nomu's morning session reached approximately SAR 1.18 million, with 239,600 shares traded, while the market capitalization of the companies listed on the index stood at SAR 41.7 million.
In terms of company performance on the parallel market, shares of 14 companies rose, while shares of only 4 companies declined, out of a total of 126 listed companies. The parallel market is a vital platform for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), contributing to economic growth and creating diverse investment opportunities.
