Saudi Arabian equities finished the session in positive territory on Wednesday, with the Tadawul All Share index closing up 0.11%.
Sector performance was led by Transport, Cement and Energy & Utilities, which provided the primary upward momentum for the market. Despite the index gain, market breadth skewed negative as more stocks fell than rose.
Top gainers
- Almajed 4 Oud Company SJSC (TADAWUL:4165) - climbed 6.02% or 8.90 points to finish at 156.80 at the close.
- Advanced Building Industries Co SJSC (TADAWUL:2240) - rose 5.75% or 2.30 points to end the day at 42.32.
- Al Kathiri Holding Co (TADAWUL:3008) - increased 5.50% or 0.11 points to close at 2.11.
Largest decliners
- Al ELM Information Security Company CJSC (TADAWUL:7203) - slipped 5.99% or 44.50 points to trade at 699.00 at the close.
- Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati Stationeries Co (TADAWUL:4191) - fell 3.60% or 1.68 points to finish at 45.02.
- United Cooperative Assurance Co (TADAWUL:8190) - down 3.08% or 0.12 points to 3.78 at the close.
Across the exchange, falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones by 208 to 115, while 26 issues ended unchanged. Notably, Al ELM Information Security Company CJSC (TADAWUL:7203) recorded a move to 52-week lows, retreating 5.99% or 44.50 points to 699.00.
Commodities and currencies
Commodity markets were firmer by the close of business. Crude oil for March delivery was up 0.51% or 0.32 to $63.53 a barrel. Brent oil for April delivery rose 0.36% or 0.24 to $67.57 a barrel. The April Gold Futures contract gained 2.93% or 144.40 to trade at $5,079.40 a troy ounce.
Currency pairs cited little change in the session. EUR/SAR was effectively unchanged, moving 0.04% to 4.43, while USD/SAR held steady at 3.75, unchanged on the day. The US Dollar Index Futures was unchanged at 97.31.
Overall, the day closed with a modest index gain but mixed internal dynamics, as a handful of names posted strong percentage increases while a larger group of listings declined. Commodity price increases accompanied the session, and major FX pairs showed little movement.