Closing bell: Saudi main index gains 56 points to 11,797

A view of the exchange board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh. File/AFP
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Updated 13 August 2024
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Closing bell: Saudi main index gains 56 points to 11,797

  • Total trading turnover of the benchmark index was $1.44 billion
  • Parallel market Nomu gained 80.82 points to close at 25,365.12

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Tuesday, gaining 56.18 points or 0.48 percent, to close at 11,796.84. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.42 billion ($1.44 billion), as 163 of the listed stocks advanced, while 62 retreated. 

Saudi Arabia’s parallel market Nomu gained 80.82 points to close at 25,365.12. The MSCI Tadawul Index also edged up by 0.19 percent to 1,478.61. 

The best-performing stock of the main index was CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. The firm’s share price surged by 10 percent to SR29.70. 

Other top performers include Saudi Ground Services Co. and AYYAN Investment Co., whose share prices soared by 9.87 percent and 8.93 percent, respectively. 

The worst performer of the day was Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co., as its share price slipped by 2.65 percent to SR8.09. 

The share prices of Saudi Industrial Export Co. and Nayifat Finance Co. also dropped by 2.48 percent and 2.46 percent, respectively. 

The top gainer on the parallel market was MOBI Industry Co. with its share price surging by 11.24 percent to SR13.66. 

Other best performers on Nomu were Alhasoob Co. and Alqemam for Computer Systems Co., whose share prices also increased by 10 percent and 9.57 percent, respectively. 

In corporate announcements, Saudi Azm for Communication and Information Technology Co. disclosed it has been awarded a project from the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, also known as Monsha’at, to manage subsidized service vouchers and discount services. The project’s value exceeds 15 percent of the company’s total revenues for 2023. 

Banque Saudi Franci announced the issuance of Saudi riyal-denominated additional Tier 1 sukuk under its SR8 billion Additional Tier 1 Capital Sukuk Program. 

The sukuk, to be issued via a private placement in the Kingdom, will be determined based on market conditions. The issuance period runs from Aug. 13 to 26, with Saudi Fransi Capital serving as the sole book runner, lead arranger, and lead manager. 


Education spending surges 251% as students return from autumn break: SAMA

Updated 12 December 2025
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Education spending surges 251% as students return from autumn break: SAMA

RIYADH: Education spending in Saudi Arabia surged 251.3 percent in the week ending Dec. 6, reflecting the sharp uptick in purchases as students returned from the autumn break.

According to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank, expenditure in the sector reached SR218.73 million ($58.2 million), with the number of transactions increasing by 61 percent to 233,000.

Despite this surge, overall point-of-sale spending fell 4.3 percent to SR14.45 billion, while the number of transactions dipped 1.7 percent to 236.18 million week on week.

The week saw mixed changes between the sectors. Spending on freight transport, postal and courier services saw the second-biggest uptick at 33.3 percent to SR60.93 million, followed by medical services, which saw an 8.1 percent increase to SR505.35 million.

Expenditure on apparel and clothing saw a decrease of 16.3 percent, followed by a 2 percent reduction in spending on telecommunication.

Jewelry outlays witnessed an 8.1 percent decline to reach SR325.90 million. Data revealed decreases across many other sectors, led by hotels, which saw the largest dip at 24.5 percent to reach SR335.98 million. 

Spending on car rentals in the Kingdom fell by 12.6 percent, while airlines saw a 3.7 percent increase to SR46.28 million.

Expenditure on food and beverages saw a 1.7 percent increase to SR2.35 billion, claiming the largest share of the POS. Restaurants and cafes retained the second position despite a 12.6 percent dip to SR1.66 billion.

Saudi Arabia’s key urban centers mirrored the national decline. Riyadh, which accounted for the largest share of total POS spending, saw a 3.9 percent dip to SR4.89 billion, down from SR5.08 billion the previous week.

The number of transactions in the capital settled at 74.16 million, down 1.4 percent week on week.

In Jeddah, transaction values decreased by 5.9 percent to SR1.91 billion, while Dammam reported a 0.8 percent surge to SR713.71 million.

POS data, tracked weekly by SAMA, provides an indicator of consumer spending trends and the ongoing growth of digital payments in Saudi Arabia. 

The data also highlights the expanding reach of POS infrastructure, extending beyond major retail hubs to smaller cities and service sectors, supporting broader digital inclusion initiatives. 

The growth of digital payment technologies aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives, promoting electronic transactions and contributing to the nation’s broader digital economy.