Saudi Arabia’s equity market drives MENA upwards in Q2

Saudi Arabia posted an increase of 9.13 percent in the second quarter (Shutterstock)
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Updated 15 August 2023
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Saudi Arabia’s equity market drives MENA upwards in Q2

RIYADH: The equity market in the Middle East and North Africa region witnessed a rebound in the second quarter of 2023 with Saudi Arabia leading the way.     

The MENA region’s equity market grew 3.92 percent in the three months to the end of June, after dropping 2.8 percent in the first quarter of the year.

The primary driver of growth was Saudi Arabia, as it posted an increase of 9.13 percent in the second quarter, according to Mashreq Capital’s Q2 2023 Market and Strategy Report.  

Furthermore, the Kingdom’s growth exceeded that of the developed market, which grew 8.7 percent over the same period.

The UAE and Egypt both showed a 4.3 percent growth in the second quarter.  

Qatar and Oman dropped 1 percent and 1.7 percent respectively, according to the report. 

“Given that MENA is a dollar bull region, it should continue to outperform the broader emerging markets,” according to a press release.  

Dubai exhibited promising indicators as the emirate rose 12.49 percent during the second quarter, while Abu Dhabi witnessed a slight inclination of 0.94 percent, 

Mashreq Capital revealed that emerging markets equities lagged behind developed markets significantly. 

“Developed market equities have remained firm as US economic activity has shown resilience,” added the report.


Closing Bell: Saudi stocks slip as Tadawul falls 1% amid broad market weakness

Updated 30 December 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi stocks slip as Tadawul falls 1% amid broad market weakness

RIYADH: Saudi stocks fell sharply on Tuesday, with the Tadawul All Share Index closing down 108.14 points, or 1.03 percent, at 10,381.51.

The broader decline was reflected across major indices. The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index slipped 0.78 percent to 1,378.00, while Nomu, the parallel market index, fell 1 percent to 23,040.79.

Market breadth was strongly negative on the main board, with 237 stocks falling compared to just 24 gainers. Trading activity remained robust, with 164.7 million shares changing hands and a total traded value of SR3.19 billion ($850.6 million).

Among the gainers, SEDCO Capital REIT Fund led, rising 2.73 percent to SR6.77, followed by Chubb Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co., which gained 2.69 percent to SR20.20.

National Medical Care Co. added 1.72 percent to close at SR141.60, while Alyamamah Steel Industries Co. and Thimar Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing Co. advanced 1.57 percent and 1.13 percent, respectively.

Losses were led by Al Masar Al Shamil Education Co., which tumbled 8.36 percent to SR24.65. Raoom Trading Co.fell 6.75 percent to SR64.20, while Alkhaleej Training and Education Co. dropped 6.60 percent to SR18.12 and Naqi Water Co. declined 5.51 percent to SR54.00. Gulf General Cooperative Insurance Co. closed 5.44 percent lower at SR3.65.

On the announcement front, Chubb Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. signed a multiyear insurance agreement with Saudi Electricity Co. to provide various coverages, expected to positively impact its financial results over the 2025–2026 period. The deal will run for three years and two months and is within the company’s normal course of business.

Meanwhile, Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co. announced a one-year health insurance contract with Saudi National Bank, valued at SR330.2 million, covering the bank’s employees and their families from January 2026. Despite the sizable contract, Bupa Arabia shares fell 0.8 percent to close at SR137, weighed down by the broader market weakness.

In contrast, United Cooperative Assurance Co. revealed an extension of its engineering insurance agreement with Saudi Binladin Group for the Grand Mosque expansion in Makkah. The contract value exceeds 20 percent of the company’s gross written premiums based on its latest audited financials and is expected to support results through 2026. However, the stock came under selling pressure, ending the session down 4.51 percent at SR3.39.