Sovereign wealth fund chiefs to gather in Riyadh

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink is among the global financial chiefs expected to attend a major Public Investment Fund conference in Riyadh next week. (Reuters)
Updated 18 October 2017
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Sovereign wealth fund chiefs to gather in Riyadh

LONDON: Some of the biggest names in global fund management will descend on Riyadh next week to attend a keenly anticipated conference hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
It will bring together the heads of sovereign wealth funds with leaders of major asset management firms, including Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock and Leon Black, chairman and CEO of Apollo Global Management.

The combined total of assets under management controlled by the speakers at the event totals $22 trillion, according to a statement from PIF.

The invitation-only ‘Future Investment Initiative’ event will take place from Oct 24 to 26.


Topics due to be discussed include how investors can meet with environmental, social and transparency requirements while still finding the best returns on investment.

Over the past five years, sovereign wealth funds have shifted the focus of their investment strategy away from foreign government bonds and towards the private sector, PIF said in a statement.

They have also ‘significantly’ increased their exposure to emerging markets, the fund said.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index extends gains as market opens wider to foreign investment

Updated 02 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index extends gains as market opens wider to foreign investment

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Monday, gaining 153.61 points, or 1.38 percent, to close at 11,321.09.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.85 billion ($1.56 billion), as 207 of the listed stocks advanced, while 55 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul Index increased, up 21.20 points or 1.41 percent, to close at 1,524.18.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 278.13 points, or 1.17 percent, to close at 24,013.03. This comes as 43 of the listed stocks advanced, while 29 retreated.

The best-performing stock was Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Appliances Corp., with its share price surging by 7.26 percent to SR28.94.

Other top performers included Rasan Information Technology Co., which saw its share price rise by 6.51 percent to SR144, and Knowledge Economic City, which saw a 6.25 percent increase to SR13.09.

On the downside, the worst performer of the day was Najran Cement Co., whose share price fell by 2.11 percent to SR6.49.

Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. and Saudi Cable Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 2 percent and 1.88 percent to SR103.10 and SR166.80, respectively.

On the announcement front, Riyad Bank has announced its annual financial results for 2025, with the total income from special commission of financing reaching SR24.1 billion, while net income from special commission of financing amounted to SR12 billion.

In a statement on Tadawul, the bank said: “Net income increased by 11.7 percent mainly due to an increase in total operating income and a decrease in total operating expenses.”

The bank further noted that the rise in total operating income was primarily driven by increased revenue from fees and commissions, trading activities, special commissions, gains on non-trading investments, and other operating sources. This growth was partially tempered by declines in exchange and dividend income.

“Net provision of expected credit losses and other losses decreased by 15.8 percent due to a decrease in impairment charge of credit losses and impairment charge for other financial assets, partially offset by an increase in impairment charge for investments,” it added.

RIBL’s share price closed at SR18.18 on the main market, marking a 1.43 percent increase.