The Tadawul All Share Index in Saudi Arabia rose by 0.44 percent, while the Nomu parallel market saw an increase of 1.77 percent, and the MSCI Index climbed by 0.86 percent.
Saudi Arabia's Jadwa Investment has acquired a 35% stake in Kuwaiti fragrance company Gissah Perfumes through its private equity arm, Jadwa Retail Opportunities Fund. The acquisition aims to support Gissah's growth and prepare the company for a potential listing on the Saudi Stock Exchange. The timeline for the listing and the value of the investment have not been disclosed.
Inflation rates in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries remain lower than global averages, with declining food costs, energy prices, and dampened global demand contributing to the trend. However, inflation in the housing sector has been felt mainly in the GCC countries, with notable year-on-year growth in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In contrast, communication and education sectors have experienced declining inflation rates in most GCC countries.
The Tadawul All Share Index in Saudi Arabia experienced a slight decline, while the parallel market Nomu saw gains in closing for the day. The MSCI Tadawul Index also slightly dropped. The best-performing stock on the main index was Salama Cooperative Insurance Co., while the worst performer was AL Maather REIT Fund. On the parallel market, Mayar Holding Co. experienced significant growth.
India is expected to ban sugar exports for the upcoming season due to a lack of rain that has reduced cane yields. This would be the first time in seven years that the country has halted sugar exports. The absence of India from the global market could increase benchmark prices and trigger concerns about further inflation in global food markets.
Africa is predicted to lead the next phase of global economic growth, with an increasing focus on economic collaboration among BRICS member countries. Intra-BRICS trade has expanded over the past decade, and Africa is seen as the next wave of global growth due to its younger generation, mineral reserves, and other resources.
Saudi Arabia's Tadawul All Share Index has shown resilience by edging up 0.34 percent, with a total trading turnover of $1.34 billion and a mix of stock performances.
Saudi Arabia's Tadawul All Share Index closed slightly higher, with a total trading turnover of SR5.02 billion, while a mix of stock performances saw some stocks advance and others decline.
Saudi Arabia's robust diversification efforts, driven by Vision 2030 strategies, have resulted in a surge of business activities and economic growth, despite worldwide economic uncertainty and concerns over inflation and geopolitical tensions. The country's economic diversification journey has led to the opening of new sectors and advancements in fields such as tourism, media, finance, and clean energy, making it a regional economic and technology hub. Saudi Arabia's continued focus on sectors like mining, metals, hospitality, tourism, and clean energy, along with fiscal consolidation efforts and revenue-enhancing measures, are key to sustaining its economic diversification model.
Saudi Arabia experienced a sharp decline in its foreign reserves, with a drop of over $16 billion last month, marking the largest decrease since the negative oil prices during the pandemic as the country invested in US stocks using its savings.
Kuwait has appointed Fahd Al-Jarallah as the new finance minister, replacing Manaf Al Hajeri who resigned in July, while Saudi Arabia's Tadawul All Share Index closed 35.42 points lower on Sunday, and Saudi Arabia has exempted micro and small businesses with annual revenues below $2.7 million from auditor's requirements to support entrepreneurship in the country. In other news, Oman's refineries and petroleum industries reported a 13.5% growth in July, and Jeddah will host an event and conference on elevators and escalator technologies in September, contributing to the growth of the vertical transportation industry in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Qatar's tourism sector continues to thrive, with a 91.4% year-on-year increase in visitors in July, and container shipments handled by Qatari ports saw a 19% surge in August.
Saudi Arabia's Tadawul All Share Index dropped 35.42 points, or 0.31 percent, to close at 11,455.78, with a total trading turnover of SR4.31 billion ($1.146 billion) and 106 stocks advancing and 104 declining.
Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major transformation through its Vision 2030 plan, led by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, aiming to diversify its economy and secure its place on the global stage; despite controversies and challenges, the country's economy is booming, heavily reliant on oil, and is making significant investments at home and abroad.
Saudi Arabia may face an economic contraction this year due to extended crude production cuts, which highlights its heavy reliance on oil and slow progress in diversification reforms, although a sizable dividend from Saudi Aramco is expected to provide some financial cushioning.
Most stock markets in the Gulf rose in response to a rise in oil prices, except for the Saudi index which closed lower; however, the International Monetary Fund predicts a further slowdown in Saudi Arabia's GDP growth due to the extension of oil production cuts.
Saudi Arabia's debt market is set to be reformed in order to help businesses in the Kingdom acquire funding and compete on a global level, according to the chairman of the Capital Markets Authority. The changes will occur gradually to ensure economic stability and support the goals of the Vision 2030 initiative to grow the country's financial sector. The chairman also expressed optimism about the growth of the Saudi Stock Exchange and its record-breaking performance in 2022.
Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Sunday due to profit-taking, except for the Egyptian index which reached a record high. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index dropped, highlighting the risk of economic contraction for the kingdom, while Egypt's blue-chip index gained, led by Beltone Financial Holding. UAE's Global Investment Holding also agreed to buy a stake in Egypt's main tobacco products maker.
The Tadawul All Share Index in Saudi Arabia ended Monday's trading session with a decline of 0.61%.
