Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,746

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.87 billion ($1.83 billion), as 86 stocks advanced, while only 157 retreated. 
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Updated 29 April 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,746

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Tuesday, losing 38.43 points, or 0.33 percent, to close at 11,746.20.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.87 billion ($1.83 billion), as 86 stocks advanced, while only 157 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased by 5 points, or 0.33 percent, to close at 1,493.77. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, dipped, losing 89.34 points, or 0.31 percent, to close at 28,331.37. This comes as 35 stocks advanced, while 43 retreated.

The best-performing stock on the main index was Arabian Contracting Services Co., with its share price surging by 9.88 percent to SR131.20.

Other top performers included Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., which saw its share price rise by 4.94 percent to SR4.25, and Sumou Real Estate Co., which saw a 3.93 percent increase to SR 46.25. 

The worst performer of the day was Alistithmar AREIC Diversified REIT Fund, whose share price fell by 3.39 percent to SR9.41. 

Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co. and Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 2.94 percent and 2.83 percent to SR185 and SR5.83, respectively. 

On the announcements front, Alinma Bank announced its interim financial results for the first three months of the year, with net profit amounting to SR1.5 million, a 1.3 percent dip compared to the previous quarter.

The bank’s total comprehensive income saw a 56 percent increase in the first quarter of 2025 to reach SR1.6 million. 

Saudi Ceramic Co. also announced its financial results for the same period, with its net profit dipping by 88.4 percent to SR20.8 million compared to the previous quarter. Similarly, the company’s total comprehensive income saw a decrease of 88.7 percent to SR20.8 million. 

Saudi Ceramic Co.’s share price traded 3.15 percent higher on the main market to reach SR27.85. 

In the first quarter of 2025, Astra Industrial Group’s net profits saw a 30.7 percent quarter-on-quarter increase to reach SR171.8 million. The group attributed the increase to an uptick in gross profit in the pharmaceuticals sector and a decrease in finance costs in the specialty chemical sector. 

The group’s share price traded 0.52 percent lower to reach SR153.


QIA, Franklin Templeton launch $200m Qatar equity fund 

Updated 56 min 54 sec ago
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QIA, Franklin Templeton launch $200m Qatar equity fund 

RIYADH: Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has teamed up with Franklin Templeton to launch a $200 million equity fund focused on the local stock market, part of efforts to deepen liquidity and attract institutional investors to Qatar’s capital markets. 

The Qatar Investment Authority and the US asset manager said the Franklin Templeton Qatar Equity Fund will operate as a day-traded mutual fund investing in companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange, according to the Qatar News Agency. 

The launch follows a series of recent global partnerships by QIA, including a preliminary deal with Goldman Sachs targeting up to $25 billion in investments, as Qatar pushes to diversify its economy and expand its financial sector.

Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QIA, said: “With the launch of Franklin Templeton Qatar Equity Fund, QIA is further expanding our Active Asset Management Initiative to support Qatar’s financial markets.”  

He added: “As one of the largest global asset managers, Franklin Templeton brings a wealth of experience and resources to QSE and the broader Qatari economy and we look forward to working closely together on this initiative.” 

The fund aims to give investors exposure to Qatar Stock Exchange-listed equities, allowing local and international institutions to access an actively managed portfolio in the domestic market, QNA reported. 

QIA is the fund’s lead investor, contributing cash and shares, underscoring its commitment to the Qatari stock market. The reallocation of QSE-listed shares is intended to support the domestic economy and enhance market liquidity, it added. 

Franklin Templeton manages about $1.68 trillion in assets as of Dec. 31, 2025, making it one of the world’s largest investment firms. 

“Through our partnership with QIA, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of the Qatari financial ecosystem. We see this collaboration as the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership and part of a broader, multi-asset collaboration between Franklin Templeton and QIA,” said Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton. 

The Franklin Templeton Qatar Equity Fund represents a key step in QIA’s active asset management strategy and highlights its partnership with Franklin Templeton in supporting Qatar’s capital markets through global investment expertise.