Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,906

The best-performing stock was National Medical Care Co., with its share price up 3.88 percent. Shutterstock
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Updated 24 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,906

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Tuesday, losing 77.62 points, or 0.71 percent, to close at 10,906.44.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR3.95 billion ($1.05 billion), as 36 of the listed stocks advanced, while 226 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased, down 8.78 points or 0.59 percent, to close at 1,480.07.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 223.18 points, or 0.96 percent, to close at 23,095.58. This comes as 19 of the listed stocks advanced, while 46 retreated.

The best-performing stock was National Medical Care Co., with its share price up by 3.88 percent to SR128.40.

Other top performers included SHL Finance Co., which saw its share price rise by 3.09 percent to SR16.70, and Saudi Steel Pipe Co., which saw a 2.72 percent increase to SR38.56.

On the downside, the worst performer of the day was Saudi Enaya Cooperative Insurance Co., whose share price fell by 9.98 percent to SR7.22.

Saudi Fisheries Co. and Arabian Contracting Services Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 9.33 percent and 6.88 percent to SR48.60 and SR107, respectively.

On the announcement front, Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. has announced it has been awarded a significant contract by the Jeddah Amana Municipality to carry out the operation and cleaning of stormwater and surface water networks.

The contract, valued at SR108.46 million, pertains to work in the sub-municipalities of South and Al-Malisa under project number 19979.

The scope of work will be carried out over a duration of 60 calendar months. According to a bourse filing, the financial impact of this award is expected to be recognized starting in the third quarter of 2026, with further updates to be provided following the finalization of the signed agreement.

The AWPT’s share price reached SR116, marking a 1.94 percent decrease on the main market.


European gas prices soar almost 50% as Iran conflict halts Qatar LNG output

Updated 02 March 2026
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European gas prices soar almost 50% as Iran conflict halts Qatar LNG output

  • Analysts warn prolonged disruption could push prices higher
  • Some shipments of oil, LNG through Strait of Hormuz suspended
  • Benchmark Asian LNG price up almost 39 percent

LONDON: ​Benchmark Dutch and British wholesale gas prices soared by almost 50 percent on Monday, after major liquefied natural gas exporter Qatar Energy said it had halted production due to attacks in the Middle East.

Qatar, soon to cement its role as the world’s second largest LNG exporter after the US, plays a major role in balancing both Asian and European markets’ demand of LNG.

Most tanker owners, oil majors and ‌trading houses ‌have suspended crude oil, fuel and liquefied natural ​gas shipments ‌via ⁠the ​Strait of ⁠Hormuz, trade sources said, after Tehran warned ships against moving through the waterway.

Europe has increased imports of LNG over the past few years as it seeks to phase out Russian gas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Around 20 percent of the world’s LNG transits through the Strait of Hormuz and a prolonged suspension or full closure would increase global competition for other ⁠sources of the gas, driving up prices internationally.

“Disruptions to ‌LNG flows would reignite competition between ‌Asia and Europe for available cargoes,” said ​Massimo Di Odoardo, vice president, gas ‌and LNG research at Wood Mackenzie.

The Dutch front-month contract at the ‌TTF hub, seen as a benchmark price for Europe, was up €14.56 at €46.52 per megawatt hour, or around $15.92/mmBtu, by 12:55 p.m. GMT, ICE data showed.

Prices were already some 25 percent higher earlier in the day but extended gains ‌after QatarEnergy’s production halt.

Benchmark Asian LNG prices jumped almost 39 percent on Monday morning with the S&P Global ⁠Energy Japan-Korea-Marker, widely used ⁠as an Asian LNG benchmark, at $15.068 per million British thermal units, Platts data showed.

“If LNG/gas markets start to price in an extended period of losses to Qatari LNG supply, TTF could potentially spike to 80-100 euros/MWh ($28-35/mmBtu),” Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING, said. The British April contract was up 40.83 pence at 119.40 pence per therm, ICE data showed.

Europe is also relying on LNG imports to help fill its gas storage sites which have been depleted over the winter and are currently around 30 percent full, the latest data from Gas Infrastructure ​Europe showed. In the European carbon ​market, the benchmark contract was down €1.10 at €69.17 a tonne