Closing Bell: Saudi indices close in red at 12,377

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was $1.75 billion. Shutterstock
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Updated 03 February 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi indices close in red at 12,377

  • MSCI Tadawul Index dropped by 3.79 points, or 0.25%, to close at 1,541.82
  • Parallel market Nomu lost 48.69 points, or 0.16%, to close at 31,056.38

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dropped on Monday, losing 32.84 points, or 0.26 percent, to close at 12,377.03.  

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.55 billion ($1.75 billion), as 65 of the listed stocks advanced, while 170 retreated.   

The MSCI Tadawul Index also dropped by 3.79 points, or 0.25 percent, to close at 1,541.82.  

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 48.69 points, or 0.16 percent, to close at 31,056.38. This comes as 37 of the listed stocks advanced and 43 retreated.  

Mutakamela Insurance Co. was the best-performing stock of the day, with its share price surging by 4.88 percent to SR18.90.  

Other top performers included Saudi Arabian Cooperative Insurance Co., which saw its share price rise by 4.59 percent to SR18.70, and Saudi Cable Co., which saw a 3.30 percent increase to SR131.60.  

Arriyadh Development Co. rose 3.01 percent to SR35.95, while Al Mawarid Manpower Co. gained 2.87 percent to SR136. 

The National Co. for Glass Industries saw the steepest decline of the day, with its share price easing 3.72 percent to close at SR54.40. 

Elm Co. fell 2.84 percent to SR1,123, while Mouwasat Medical Services Co. dropped 2.78 percent to SR87.50. 

Bawan Co. also faced losses, with its share price dipping 2.75 percent to SR56.50, while Saudi Awwal Bank saw a 2.46 percent decline to settle at SR35.75. 

Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co. announced that its subsidiary, Tadawul Advanced Solutions Co., also known as WAMID, has finalized the acquisition of the remaining 49 percent stake in Direct Financial Network Co., completing the regulatory requirements on Feb.2. 

The shares, previously owned by National Two Ventures, were acquired for SR220.5 million, making WAMID the sole owner of DirectFN. 

The transaction follows WAMID’s initial purchase of a 51 percent stake in DirectFN in May 2023 for SR134 million. 

With this latest acquisition, WAMID now holds full ownership of the financial technology company, aligning with Saudi Tadawul Group’s strategy to enhance its technological and financial services offerings. 

Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co.’s share price saw a slight 0.76 percent dip on Monday to settle at SR209.80. 

Riyad Bank announced its financial results for 2024, posting a 15.9 increase in net profit, reaching SR9.32 billion, up from SR8.04 billion in 2023. 

The growth was driven by an 18.16 percent rise in total income from special commissions, which reached SR21.62 billion, supported by higher income from loans and investments. 

Total operating profit rose 8.71 percent to SR17.28 billion, bolstered by increases in fee income, exchange income, and gains on non-trading investments. 

Operating expenses related to credit losses and asset impairments dropped 17.2 percent to SR1.63 billion, reflecting improved asset quality. 

Assets grew by 16.42 percent to SR450.37 billion, with loans and advances rising 16.65 percent to SR320.08 billion. 

Client deposits also increased significantly, up 20.21 percent to SR306.42 billion. Earnings per share rose from SR2.58 in 2023 to SR3.01 in 2024. 

Riyad Bank saw a 0.34 percent increase in its share price on Monday to reach SR29.60. 


Finance minister announces launch of National Privatization Strategy

Updated 11 sec ago
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Finance minister announces launch of National Privatization Strategy

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Finance and Chairman of the National Center for Privatization Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan highlighted the Council of Economic and Development Affairs’ approval to conclude the Kingdom’s privatization program, noting that it had successfully completed its initiatives in line with the approved plan.

Al-Jadaan explained that since its launch, the privatization program has achieved a number of milestones, most notably the establishment of the NCP, which has created over 200 approved projects with total investments estimated at SR800 billion ($213.4 billion).

The program, he added, has also facilitated the signing of nearly 90 contracts, ranging from ownership transfer agreements to public-private partnership deals across multiple sectors.

In addition, it has contributed to strengthening the role of the private sector, improving the efficiency of government asset operations, and developing a legislative and regulatory environment that supports investment, thereby promoting economic diversification and enhancing the Kingdom’s competitiveness.

The minister announced the launch of the National Privatization Strategy, which was approved by the Council of Ministers on Nov. 25.

The initiative aims to enhance the quality and efficiency of infrastructure, improve public services for the Kingdom’s residents, strengthen the private sector’s role in sustainable economic development, and enable the government to focus on its legislative, supervisory, and regulatory functions, while reinforcing financial sustainability, all in line with the country’s Vision 2030.

Al-Jadaan said: “Saudi Arabia seeks to establish a high-quality, efficient future infrastructure capable of delivering world-class public services to citizens, residents, and visitors, while reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global reference in public-private partnerships.”

The strategy aims to raise satisfaction levels with public services across 18 target sectors, create tens of thousands of specialized jobs, exceed 220 public-private partnership contracts by 2030, and increase private sector capital investments to more than SR240 billion by 2030.

The NPS has established five main programs to empower and advance the privatization system, along with 42 executive initiatives to achieve its objectives and the Vision 2030 targets related to privatization.

It also includes an executive program dedicated to identifying and prioritizing key privatization opportunities, with over 145 high-priority opportunities already identified, representing attractive investment prospects for the private sector.