Closing Bell: Saudi indices close in green

The best-performing stock of the day was Savola Group. Shutterstock
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Updated 18 December 2024
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Closing Bell: Saudi indices close in green

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index edged up on Wednesday, gaining 12.33 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 11,961.05.  

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR4.5 billion ($1.2 billion), as 117 of the listed stocks advanced, while 106 retreated.     

The MSCI Tadawul Index increased by 0.40 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 1,498.37.  

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also gained 95.94 points, or 0.31 percent, to close at 31,196.25. This comes as 47 of the listed stocks advanced, while 39 retreated.  

The best-performing stock of the day was Savola Group, with its share price surging by 9.98 percent to SR33.60.  

Other top performers included United International Holding Co., which saw its share price rise by 9.01 percent to SR171.80, and Batic Investments and Logistics Co., which saw a 6.05 percent increase to SR3.68.     

Alkhaleej Training and Education Co. saw its share price surge by 4.35 percent to SR32.35, while Fitaihi Holding Group recorded a 3.58 percent rise, closing at SR4.34.  

Red Sea International Co. saw the biggest decline of the day, with its share price dropping 7.05 percent to SR56.70. 

Jahez International Co. for Information System Technology saw its shares drop 5.07 percent to SR29, while Zamil Industrial Investment Co. declined 3.95 percent to SR32.80. 

Moreover, Sumou Real Estate Co. dropped 3.83 percent to SR46.50, while Al-Baha Investment and Development Co. fell 3.12 percent to SR0.31. 

On the parallel market Nomu, the top performer was View United Real Estate Development Co. with its share price surging by 30 percent to reach SR9.88.  

Leen Alkhair Trading Co. saw a 9.62 percent surge in its share price to SR25.65, placing second, followed by Yaqeen Capital Co., which rose 8.13 percent to SR26.60. 

Dar Almarkabah for Renting Cars Co. saw a 7.71 percent increase, reaching SR17.75, while Abdulaziz and Mansour Ibrahim Albabtin Co. rose 7.59 percent to SR17.80. 

Nomu’s two biggest decliners for the day were Enma AlRawabi Co., with its share price falling 11.65 percent to SR22, and Knowledge Net Co., which dropped 8.70 percent to SR31.50. 

Leaf Global Environmental Services Co. followed with a dip of 8.40 percent in its share price reaching SR97.10.  

Bena Steel Industries Co. and Advance International Company for Communication and Information Technology were also among the worst performers with a 7.16 percent and 6.25 percent decline respectively.  

On the announcement front, Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority has approved Saudi Fisheries Co.’s request to reduce its capital from SR400 million to SR66.99 million, representing a reduction in the number of shares from 40 million to 6.7 million. The move aims to restructure the company’s capital base.

Saudi Fisheries Co.’s share price closed Wednesday with a 0.44 percent drop to settle at SR22.56.

Additionally, the CMA has approved Makkah Construction and Development Co.’s request to increase its capital from SR1.65 billion to SR2 billion.

The capital increase will be achieved by issuing 0.213 bonus shares for every existing share owned by registered shareholders, with a total of 35.18 million new shares to be issued.

The increase will be funded by transferring SR351.84 million from the company’s statutory reserve account to its capital.

Makkah Construction and Development Co.’s share price dropped 1.46 percent on Wednesday to settle at SR107.80.

In a separate announcement, Yaqeen Capital Co., acting as the financial advisor and lead manager for ITMAM Consulting Co., disclosed the firm’s intention to offer 3 million ordinary shares, representing 14.29 percent of its total capital, in an initial public offering.

The company plans to list its shares on the parallel market, subject to regulatory approval. 


Armah Sports net profit up 62% on strong personal training demand

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Armah Sports net profit up 62% on strong personal training demand

RIYADH: Strong demand for personal training services and continued expansion in its membership base drove Armah Sports Co.’s net proft to shareholders up 62 percent to SR62 million ($16.53 million) in 2025.

Revenue increased rising 27 percent annually to SR224.9 million in the year ending Dec. 31, while while operating revenue climbed 48 percent to SR81.1 million, reflecting operating leverage as revenue growth outpaced cost increases.

Personal training profit increased 51 percent during the year, supported by sustained demand for high-quality training services. 

Subscription and membership revenue grew 24 percent, driven by expansion in the average member base and the increasing maturity of existing clubs. The company also recorded growth in ancillary revenue streams from its fitness centers.

Industry data suggests the company’s performance reflects broader structural growth in the Kingdom’s fitness sector.

Ahmed Attallah, manager at the organizers of health and fitness exhibition FIBO Arabia, told Arab News: “Saudi Arabia’s fitness industry is undergoing structural expansion rather than cyclical growth.”

He added: “The market has grown from approximately SR3.4 billion in 2017 to SR7.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach SR15.5 billion by 2030. This growth is supported by regulatory reform, rising female participation, and sustained private-sector investment aligned with Vision 2030.” 

FIBO Arabia is one of the largest annual health, fitness and wellness industry exhibitions in Riyadh that brings together operators, suppliers, investors and other sector stakeholders to showcase innovations and business opportunities.

Attallah added that revenue growth across operators is increasingly driven by premium services. 

“Personal training and premium services remain underdeveloped compared to mature markets, creating room for further revenue growth. At the same time, boutique formats and digitally integrated models are attracting younger, experience-driven consumers,” he said.

Attallah stated that strong financial results from leading operators reflect underlying market fundamentals, and said: “Capital inflows, international brand expansion, and fitness infrastructure embedded within gigaprojects and mixed-use developments point to long-term confidence in the sector.”

He added: “Saudi Arabia is moving from rapid expansion to institutional maturity, positioning it as the Middle East’s leading growth market for fitness and wellness investment.”

Deferred revenue at Armah rose to SR62.6 million across the year, reflecting strong membership renewals and enhancing revenue visibility for future periods.

Cost of revenue increased 22 percent in line with higher activity levels, while operating expenses rose 46 percent, reflecting investments in automation and key senior hires to support future expansion. Interest expenses were linked to financing and lease liabilities associated with the company’s growth strategy.

During the year, Armah recorded non-recurring items including a SR9.5 million gain from a sublease transaction, a SR0.8 million gain from a rent waiver on a lease, and SR1.5 million in expenses related to preparations for transitioning to the Kingdom’s Main Market from Nomu.

Excluding non-recurring items, adjusted net income attributable to shareholders reached SR53.2 million, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization totaled SR115 million, in line with the reconciliation disclosed in the audited financial statements.

Armah has advanced its expansion and market positioning over the past year, announcing plans in January for a new men’s B_FIT club in Riyadh’s Irqah district. In 2025, it signed agreements for additional clubs in Al Maseef and a SR224 million development deal with Qimam Noshoz.