Saudi Arabian equities closed higher on Thursday, with the Tadawul All Share finishing the session up 0.19% as pockets of strength in the Insurance, Cement and Financial Services sectors supported the advance.
At the close, the benchmark Tadawul All Share index recorded a 0.19% gain. Market leadership came from several individual issues that posted double-digit relative moves in percentage terms.
The session's top performer was Saudi Arabia Refineries Co. (TADAWUL:2030), which climbed 4.85% - a 2.50-point increase - to finish at 54.00. Walaa Cooperative Insurance Company SJSC (TADAWUL:8060) followed, adding 4.62% or 0.52 points to close at 11.78. Saudi Automotive Services Co. (TADAWUL:4050) also featured among winners, rising 4.08% or 1.70 points to end the day at 43.40.
On the downside, Taiba Holding Co. (TADAWUL:4090) led decliners, slipping 2.49% or 0.49 points to trade at 19.17 at the close. Al Moammar Information Systems Co CJSC (TADAWUL:7200) fell 2.28% - a 7.00-point drop - to finish at 300.60. Saudi Ground Services Co (TADAWUL:4031) declined 2.17% or 0.58 points to close at 26.18.
Overall market breadth favored advancing issues, with 183 stocks rising compared to 146 that declined, while 30 issues ended unchanged.
Commodity markets were also firmer during the session. Crude oil for October delivery was up 1.60% or 1.46 to $92.47 a barrel. Brent oil for November delivery rose 1.07% or 1.02 to $96.65 a barrel. Precious metals moved higher as well, with the December Gold Futures contract gaining 2.27% or 100.29 to trade at $4,514.89 a troy ounce.
Foreign-exchange moves versus the Saudi riyal were mixed. EUR/SAR rose 0.31% to 4.36, while USD/SAR was unchanged at 3.76. The US Dollar Index Futures declined 0.54%, trading at 99.02 by the close.
This session's results reflect modest upward pressure across the domestic equity market, with select insurers and industrials posting the largest percentage gains and several service and technology-related names among the day's laggards. Commodities showed parallel strength, particularly in crude oil, Brent and gold, which may have supported investor sentiment during the close.