Saudi Arabian equities finished the trading session slightly in the green on Wednesday, with the Tadawul All Share index closing up 0.01%. Sector strength in Petrochemicals, Cement and Telecoms & IT helped offset broader weakness across many individual stocks.
At the close, the market's top performer by percentage was Arabian Company for Agricultural and Industrial Investment SCJSC (TADAWUL:2287), which advanced 9.14%, gaining 2.14 points to finish at 25.56. Tanmiah Food Company SCJSC (TADAWUL:2281) added 8.26%, up 4.55 points to 59.65, while Al Mawarid Manpower Company SCJSC (TADAWUL:1833) rose 4.34%, gaining 4.50 points to end the day at 108.10.
On the downside, United International Holding (TADAWUL:4083) declined 9.97%, a drop of 3.50 points to close at 31.60. Saudi Enaya Cooperative Insurance (TADAWUL:8311) fell 9.95%, down 1.09 points to 9.86, and Thimar Development Holding Co (TADAWUL:4160) slipped 6.55%, losing 2.62 points to finish at 37.38.
Market breadth was tilted toward declines. Falling issues outnumbered advancing ones by 236 to 83, and 13 stocks finished unchanged.
Two notable price milestones were recorded in the session. Shares of United International Holding reached an all-time low, closing at 31.60 after a 9.97% fall. Conversely, Al Mawarid Manpower Company SCJSC closed at a 52-week high of 108.10 following its 4.34% gain.
Commodities and currency movements accompanied the equity action. Crude oil for August delivery climbed 4.12%, gaining $2.90 to trade at $73.34 per barrel. Brent crude for September delivery rose 4.29%, an increase of $3.18 to $77.34 per barrel.
Precious metals moved lower: the August Gold Futures contract declined 1.68%, falling $69.70 to trade at $4,087.70 per troy ounce.
FX rates were broadly stable. The euro to Saudi riyal (EUR/SAR) was effectively unchanged, moving 0.03% to 4.28, while the US dollar to Saudi riyal (USD/SAR) shifted 0.02% to 3.76. The US Dollar Index Futures traded 0.14% higher at 100.92.
Summary of movers and market context:
- Leading gainers: TADAWUL:2287, TADAWUL:2281, TADAWUL:1833.
- Largest decliners: TADAWUL:4083, TADAWUL:8311, TADAWUL:4160.
- Key commodity moves: Brent and WTI crude rose notably, while gold futures fell.
The session reflected a market where headline index movement was muted despite outsized swings in individual stocks and notable shifts in commodity prices. Oil's advance was pronounced in percentage terms, while most currency pairs remained steady.