Real estate investment funds see Tadawul trading surge

Seventy-three firms listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) surged above their three-month average this week, the vast majority of them real estate investment trusts (REITs). (Argaam)
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Updated 24 March 2021
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Real estate investment funds see Tadawul trading surge

  • Of the 73 companies, the top 11 were REITs

RIYADH: Seventy-three firms listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) surged above their three-month average this week, the vast majority of them real estate investment trusts (REITs), according to figures compiled by Argaam.

Of the 73 companies, the top 11 were REITs. The top performer was the Bonyan REIT Fund, trading 4,172 percent above its three-month average.

Saudi Fransi Capital announced in November the distribution of 2.76 percent cash dividend to the fund for the period from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2020, at SR0.276 ($0.07) per unit.

The second-best performer was the MEFIC REIT Fund, up 2233 percent on its three-month average.

This despite the fact that in January the fund reported a net loss of SR39.2 million for the fiscal year 2020, compared to a net profit of SR28 million in 2019.

Late last year, a report by Aljazira Capital found that Saudi REITs offer higher-dividend yields for investors compared to international peers.

“Economic activities are gaining back momentum in the Kingdom, hence rental income for REITs is expected to improve in the near future. This should reflect in increased dividend yields as well,” the research said in November.

Earlier this month, Jadwa REIT Saudi Fund signed an agreement to purchase Boulevard Riyadh for SR320 million.

Boulevard Riyadh is a retail and office complex covering 18,854 square meters and with a built-up area of 36,340 square meters.

The development is leased to multiple tenants and has an occupancy rate of 97 percent, with net operating income of approximately SR29.3 million.

Last week, it was healthcare that saw a surge in trading activity. Middle East Healthcare Co., which owns and operates the Saudi German Hospitals brand, traded at 1417 percent above its three-month average and topped the list.


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.