Saudi Arabian equities ended the trading session on Sunday with modest gains as several sector groups pushed the market higher. At the close, the Tadawul All Share index was up 0.46%.
Market movers
The session's strongest performers included Saudi Industrial Development Co. (TADAWUL:2130), which climbed 9.98% - a rise of 1.26 points - to finish at 13.89. Kingdom Holding Company (TADAWUL:4280) rose 9.96%, adding 1.23 points to end the day at 13.58. Education-sector stock Almasar Alshamil Education Company CJSC (TADAWUL:6019) gained 7.61%, or 1.57 points, closing at 22.20.
On the downside, AFG International Co (TADAWUL:4240) was the weakest name in the session, sliding 5.83% or 0.78 points to 12.59 at the close. Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Co (TADAWUL:2380) fell 5.45%, losing 0.87 points to end at 15.10, while Middle East Healthcare Co CJSC (TADAWUL:4009) dropped 4.65%, down 1.58 points to 32.40.
Breadth and notable milestones
Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by 237 to 96 on the Saudi Arabia Stock Exchange, with 16 stocks finishing unchanged. Kingdom Holding Company reached a five-year high during the session, closing at 13.58 after a 9.96% rise.
Commodities and currency moves
Commodity markets showed mixed movement alongside local equities. Crude oil for July delivery fell 1.73%, or $1.54, to trade at $87.36 a barrel. Brent crude for August delivery declined 1.77%, or $1.66, to $92.05 a barrel. In contrast, the August gold futures contract rose 1.34%, gaining $60.60 to trade at $4,593.00 a troy ounce.
Foreign-exchange indicators referenced in the session included EUR/SAR, which was unchanged at 4.38 reflecting a 0.07% move, and USD/SAR, unchanged at 3.75 with a 0.00% change. The US Dollar Index Futures was reported down 0.12% at 98.85.
Implications
The advance in the Tadawul All Share was driven by a group of discrete winners across travel, industrial investment and insurance-linked names, while energy-linked and healthcare-related issuers were among the heaviest decliners. Market breadth favored gainers by a wide margin, and commodity moves were mixed with crude lower and gold higher at the close.
Data points in this report reflect end-of-day prices and session statistics as reported for the Saudi market and related commodities and currency indicators.