Saudi equities ended the trading session on Sunday with modest gains, as the Tadawul All Share index rose 0.76% at the close. Strength was concentrated in Financial Services, Petrochemicals and Energy & Utilities, which provided most of the upward pressure on the benchmark.
Top performers
The session's strongest performers included Al ELM Information Security Company CJSC (TADAWUL:7203), which climbed 5.40% - a 35.50-point increase - to finish at 693.00. Middle East Paper Co (TADAWUL:1202) added 5.33%, rising 0.95 points to close at 18.78. CATRION Catering Holding Company SJSC (TADAWUL:6004) also closed among the leaders, up 5.03% or 3.50 points to 73.05.
Largest decliners
On the downside, National Medical Care Company (TADAWUL:4005) led losses, dropping 9.95% - a fall of 11.50 points - to end the session at 104.10. That move took the stock to a 52-week low. Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co. (TADAWUL:2160) slipped 6.98%, down 1.07 points to 14.26, while Advanced Building Industries Co SJSC (TADAWUL:2240) declined 6.64% or 2.56 points to finish at 36.00.
Breadth and market structure
Rising issues outnumbered decliners on the Saudi Arabia Stock Exchange by 170 to 152, with 26 names unchanged at the close. This mix reflects a market where gains were narrow but sufficient to lift the index, even as several notable stocks recorded steep intraday losses.
Commodities and FX
Commodity markets moved higher in the session. Crude oil for June delivery rose 0.64%, up $0.61 to $95.42 per barrel. Brent oil for July delivery gained 1.23%, an increase of $1.23, to reach $101.29 per barrel. Precious metals also advanced, with the June Gold Futures contract up 0.42% or $19.80 to trade at $4,730.70 a troy ounce.
In currency markets, EUR/SAR was up 0.53% to 4.42. USD/SAR was effectively unchanged, moving 0.02% to 3.75. The US Dollar Index Futures was lower by 0.16% at 97.78.
Implications
The session illustrated a market led by sector rotations into Financial Services, Petrochemicals and Energy & Utilities, while sharp declines in individual names weighed on breadth. Oil and gold price increases coincided with the positive close, and small shifts in major currency pairs were also recorded at the session end.