Closing Bell: Banque Saudi Fransi raises $810m in sukuk issuance to strengthen capital base

A view of the board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh. Fille/AFP
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Updated 28 August 2024
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Closing Bell: Banque Saudi Fransi raises $810m in sukuk issuance to strengthen capital base

  • Tadawul All Share Index closed down 65.05 points to 12,117.15
  • Day saw a total trading turnover of SR6.85 billion, with 90 stocks advancing and 131 retreating

RIYADH: Banque Saudi Fransi completed the issuance of additional tier-one sukuk, raising SR3 billion ($810 million) under its SR8 billion capital program. 

The privately placed sukuk, denominated in Saudi Riyals, offers a 6 percent return per annum. 

According to a statement on the Saudi Stock Exchange, or Tadawul, each sukuk has a nominal value of SR1 million and is perpetual, with provisions for early redemption under specific conditions, such as a capital event or tax event. 

This issuance marks a strategic move to bolster the bank’s capital base and support long-term growth objectives, following initial disclosures made on Tadawul in August. 

Meanwhile, the Saudi Stock Exchange’s Tadawul All Share Index closed down 65.05 points, or 0.53 percent, at 12,117.15. The day saw a total trading turnover of SR6.85 billion, with 90 stocks advancing and 131 retreating. 

Red Sea International Co. emerged as the top performer, with shares rising 9.9 percent to SR45.50. Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co. and Saudi Real Estate Co. also saw gains, with share prices up 6.7 percent and 5.59 percent, respectively. 

In contrast, Jabal Omar Development Co. was the worst performer, with a 3.54 percent drop to SR25.9. 

On the announcement front, United Mining Industries Co. released its interim financial results for the first half of 2024. 

UMI reported a 5.5 percent increase in sales for the six months ending June 2024 compared to the same period last year. 

This growth is primarily attributed to a shift in the company’s sales mix and the successful implementation of new marketing strategies to enhance market penetration and customer engagement. 

However, the company’s net profit for the first half of the year declined by 36 percent compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. 

The decrease is largely due to provisions set aside in response to a legal claim involving the General Authority of Competition. 


Saudi POS spending jumps 28% in final week of Jan: SAMA

Updated 06 February 2026
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Saudi POS spending jumps 28% in final week of Jan: SAMA

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s point-of-sale spending climbed sharply in the final week of January, rising nearly 28 percent from the previous week as consumer outlays increased across almost all sectors. 

POS transactions reached SR16 billion ($4.27 billion) in the week ending Jan. 31, up 27.8 percent week on week, according to the Saudi Central Bank. Transaction volumes rose 16.5 percent to 248.8 million, reflecting stronger retail and service activity. 

Spending on jewelry saw the biggest uptick at 55.5 percent to SR613.69 million, followed by laundry services which saw a 44.4 percent increase to SR62.83 million. 

Expenditure on personal care rose 29.1 percent, while outlays on books and stationery increased 5.1 percent. Hotel spending climbed 7.4 percent to SR377.1 million. 

Further gains were recorded across other categories. Spending in pharmacies and medical supplies rose 33.4 percent to SR259.19 million, while medical services increased 13.7 percent to SR515.44 million. 

Food and beverage spending surged 38.6 percent to SR2.6 billion, accounting for the largest share of total POS value. Restaurants and cafes followed with a 20.4 percent increase to SR1.81 billion. Apparel and clothing spending rose 35.4 percent to SR1.33 billion, representing the third-largest share during the week. 

The Kingdom’s key urban centers mirrored the national surge. Riyadh, which accounted for the largest share of total POS spending, saw a 22 percent rise to SR5.44 billion from SR4.46 billion the previous week. The number of transactions in the capital reached 78.6 million, up 13.8 percent week on week. 

In Jeddah, transaction values increased 23.7 percent to SR2.16 billion, while Dammam reported a 22.2 percent rise to SR783.06 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 Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, promoting electronic transactions and contributing to the Kingdom’s broader digital economy.