The Saudi Stock Exchange's main index (TASI) opened trading on Sunday with relative stability, holding steady at 10,525 points, as investors awaited market direction for the week. Trading volume in the first few minutes reached approximately SAR 111.34 million, reflecting a quiet start to the session.
According to data released by the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), the volume of shares traded at the start of the session reached approximately 5.64 million shares, while the total market capitalization of listed shares remained stable at a substantial SAR 8.803 trillion. This figure is a strong indicator of the depth and resilience of the Saudi financial market, which is the largest in the Middle East and North Africa region and plays a pivotal role in attracting foreign investment, particularly after its inclusion in emerging market indices such as MSCI and FTSE Russell.
Company and sector performance
The session witnessed a clear divergence in the performance of listed companies, with red dominating trading screens at the start. Shares of 142 companies recorded a decline in their market value, while shares of 82 companies managed to achieve varying degrees of gains, out of a total of 266 companies listed on the main market. This divergence reflects normal profit-taking or portfolio rebalancing based on companies' financial outlooks.
Among the most actively traded and performing stocks, Saudi Cable, Kemanol, Amac, Artex, and Flynas led the gainers. Conversely, some companies faced selling pressure, placing them among the biggest losers, most notably Al-Fakhariya, CGS, Leejam Sports, Astra Industrial, and BinDawood.
The parallel market (growth) and its economic importance
Meanwhile, the parallel market index (Nomu) remained stable at the start of trading on Sunday, registering 23,410 points. Trading volume in this market reached approximately 457,000 riyals, with 43,500 shares traded, for a total market capitalization of 42.2 million riyals. Shares of six companies rose, while six others declined, out of a total of 126 listed companies.
The parallel market, "Nomu," is gaining increasing importance within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, as it aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and provide them with flexible financing channels, thereby contributing to the diversification of the national economy and increasing the private sector's contribution to GDP. The stability of this market is a positive indicator of the confidence of entrepreneurs and investors in the Kingdom's regulatory and economic environment.
In conclusion, the performance of the Saudi stock market remains a reflection of the economic activity in the Kingdom, as it is affected by multiple factors including global oil prices, monetary policies, and quarterly corporate profits, making monitoring daily indicators vital for analysts and investors to make their financial decisions.
