Saudi insurance sector grew 2.3 percent in 2020 amid pandemic

SAMA released its 14th annual report on the Saudi insurance market. (Supplied)
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Updated 07 May 2021
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Saudi insurance sector grew 2.3 percent in 2020 amid pandemic

  • Written premiums rose to SR38.78 billion
  • Net profit increased 61.1 percent

RIYADH: The Saudi insurance sector grew 2.3 percent in terms of written premiums in 2020, to SR38.78 billion ($10.3 billion), according to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority’s (SAMA) 14th annual report on the Saudi insurance market, issued on Thursday.

Energy and accident & liability insurance classes showed notable increases in written premiums with penetration of the sector increasing from 1.3 percent in 2019 to 1.5 percent in 2020.

In terms of underwriting performance, the overall loss ratio improved to 77.5 percent.

Insurance net profit (after zakat and tax) increased by 61.1 percent compared to the previous year’s corresponding figure, thereby improving the return-on-assets and return-on-equity ratios.

The SAMA report also noted that the overall Saudization ratio increased from 74 percent in 2019 to 75 percent in 2020.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 11,251 

Updated 12 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 11,251 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Thursday, gaining 84.27 points, or 0.75 percent, to close at 11,251.81. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.38 billion ($1.43 billion), as 188 of the stocks advanced and 67 retreated.    

Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 157.22 points, or 0.67 percent, to close at 23,643.74. This comes as 44 of the stocks advanced while 32 retreated.    

The MSCI Tadawul Index gained 10.88 points, or 0.72 percent, to close at 1,517.43.     

The best-performing stock of the day was Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co., whose share price surged 9.96 percent to SR5.30.   

Other top performers included Ataa Educational Co., whose share price rose 9.94 percent to SR57.50, as well as Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co., whose share price surged 5.74 percent to SR7.55. 

Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Co. recorded the most significant drop, falling 5.93 percent to SR220.50. 

Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. also saw its stock prices fall 2.77 percent to SR43.56. 

Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co. also saw its stock prices decline 2.30 percent to SR2.55. 

On the announcement front, Multi Business Group Co. reported its annual financial results for the year ended Dec. 31. According to a Tadawul statement, the firm recorded a net profit of SR352,172 during the year, down 98 percent from the previous year. 

The company attributed the decline primarily to a 2 percent drop in building contracting revenues and a 73 percent decrease in gross profit.  

Multi Business Group Co. ended the session at SR9.90, down 1 percent. 

Hamad Mohammed Bin Saedan Real Estate Co. announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Awwal Bank to enhance collaboration in financing solutions, advance real estate development projects, and expand access to customer financing programs. 

Hamad Mohammed Bin Saedan Real Estate Co. ended the session at SR6.67, up 1.21 percent.