LONDON: Official figures show that the British economy slowed sharply in the last three months of 2018 as uncertainties over Brexit intensified.
The Office for National Statistics said Monday that the British economy grew by a quarterly rate of only 0.2 percent during the fourth quarter, down from the 0.6 percent tick recorded in the previous three-month period.
Over 2018 as a whole, the British economy grew by 1.4 percent, its lowest rate since 2009 and the aftermath of the global financial crisis.
The British economy has largely held up better than many people expected in the immediate aftermath of the country’s vote to leave the European Union in June 2016.
However, there’s mounting evidence that as Brexit day draws nearer — March 29 — firms are getting increasingly edgy.
British economy slows down sharply amid acute Brexit unease
British economy slows down sharply amid acute Brexit unease
- Over 2018 as a whole, the British economy grew by 1.4 percent, its lowest rate since 2009
- The British economy has largely held up better than many people expected
Closing Bell: Saudi main market edges up to 10,745 points
RIYADH: Saudi equities closed higher on Monday, with the Tadawul All Share Index finishing up 135.69 points, or 1.28 percent, at 10,745.45.
The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also advanced, rising 22.21 points, or 1.57 percent, to close at 1,436.31, while the Nomu Parallel Market Index slipped 31.80 points, or 0.13 percent, to 23,586.94.
Market breadth was positive on the main market, with 216 gainers against 42 decliners, while Nomu saw 42 stocks advancing and 36 declining.
Trading activity picked up, with 261.7 million shares changing hands, while total turnover reached SR5.10 billion ($1.3 billion).
Among the top performers, Saudi Fisheries Co. led the gains, closing at SR63.90, up SR5.80, or 9.98 percent. Naseej International Trading Co. rose to SR34.94, gaining SR3.16, or 9.94 percent, while Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Co. ended at SR16.74, up SR1.16, or 7.45 percent.
Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co. added 6.84 percent to close at SR2.50, and Alamar Foods Co. climbed 5.75 percent to SR42.70.
On the losing side, Al Masar Al Shamil Education Co. fell 4.36 percent to SR23.90, while Saudi Paper Manufacturing Co. declined 2.82 percent to SR62.05.
United International Holding Co. slipped 2.36 percent to SR153.40, Saudi Aramco Base Oil Co. dropped 2.09 percent to SR98.60, and United Electronics Co. eased 1.90 percent to SR85.00.
On the announcement front, Mouwasat Medical Services Co. announced that its board has approved the establishment of a new hospital in Riyadh’s Al-Narjis District, with a planned capacity of 280 beds and a total investment cost of SR900 million.
The project will be financed through a mix of self-funding and long-term Shariah-compliant bank facilities, with further details on timelines and financial impact to be disclosed at a later stage.
Shares of Mouwasat Medical Services Co. closed at SR67.95, gaining SR1.40, or 2.10 percent.
Saudi Arabian Mining Co. reported a net addition of 7.8 million ounces of new gold resources following extensive exploration and drilling activities across multiple sites, alongside the identification of new mineralization opportunities in gold and base metals.
The company noted that the financial impact of these discoveries has yet to be determined and will be assessed in due course.
Shares of Saudi Arabian Mining Co. closed at SR67.50, up SR3.05, or 4.73 percent.
