Saudi PIF announces 5.01% stake in Japan’s Nintendo amid efforts to boost country’s gaming industry

The acquisition makes PIF Nintendo's fifth largest shareholder
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Updated 18 May 2022
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Saudi PIF announces 5.01% stake in Japan’s Nintendo amid efforts to boost country’s gaming industry

  • Japan’s gaming platforms are seen to dominate the videogame industry

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has announced a 5.01 percent stake in Japanese multinational video game company Nintendo Co. amid efforts to propel the country’s gaming industry, Bloomberg reported, citing a filing to Japan’s Finance Ministry.

While the acquisition was made for investment purposes, it also makes the PIF Nintendo's fifth largest shareholder. 

The Kyoto-headquartered firm is anticipating selling as many as 21 million switches this year, 700,000 switches short of the originally forecasted 21.7 million switches. 

Over the past two years, the PIF has shown interest in the gaming and e-sports industry, investing in stakes accumulating to over 5 percent in two Japan-listed gaming firms: Capcom Co. and Nexon Co.

This comes as Japan’s gaming platforms are seen to dominate the videogame industry especially after technology giant Microsoft Corp invested up to $69 billion in the acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard Inc.

Other firms including Japan’s mega-conglomerate Sony Group are also jumping into the trend as it announced the $3.6 billion purchase of US video game company Bungie Inc. 


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.