Saudi Arabian equities finished the trading session higher on Monday, driven by strength in petrochemicals, construction materials and retail-related stocks. The Tadawul All Share climbed 0.42% at the close.
Petrochemical plays dominated the winners list. Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company (TADAWUL:2350) led gains, jumping 9.96% - a rise of 0.53 points to finish at 5.85. Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Co (TADAWUL:2380) also advanced 9.96%, adding 1.26 points to close at 13.91. Yanbu National Petrochemical Co (TADAWUL:2290) rose 7.65%, up 2.70 points to 38.00 by the session end.
On the downside, several firms in the stationeries and paper segments were among the laggards. Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati Stationeries Co (TADAWUL:4191) fell 4.07%, losing 1.82 points to end at 42.92. Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co (TADAWUL:1111) declined 3.68%, down 5.20 points to 136.00, and Saudi Paper Manufacturing Co. (TADAWUL:2300) slipped 3.47%, a 2.10-point drop to 58.35.
Market breadth favored advancing issues, with 219 stocks rising versus 107 that fell; 28 stocks finished unchanged.
Two notable price milestones occurred during the session. Shares of Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Co reached three-year highs, finishing up 9.96% at 13.91. Yanbu National Petrochemical Co closed at a 52-week high, gaining 7.65% to 38.00.
Commodity markets showed upward pressure on energy prices, with crude oil for June delivery up 1.89% - a rise of $1.78 to $96.18 per barrel. Brent crude for July delivery increased 1.92%, or $1.90, to $101.03 a barrel. In metals, the June Gold Futures contract fell 0.47% - a decline of $22.14 - to trade at $4,718.76 a troy ounce.
Foreign exchange moves were modest. The euro traded higher against the Saudi riyal, with EUR/SAR up 0.28% to 4.41. USD/SAR was unchanged at 3.75. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures eased 0.29% to 98.08.
The session's pattern showed concentrated strength among energy and petrochemical names, supported by rising oil benchmarks, while some industrial and services names moved lower. Overall, the market closed on a positive note with broader participation in advancing stocks.