The Saudi stock market remained under pressure yesterday, as the Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) continuing its sideways movement for most of the session inched up to 7,099.17 points, adding less than a single point for the entire day.

It went 2.4 points above and 22.9 points below the break-even line during the day.

Among market cap indices only Large cap went slightly downward.

The King-dom Holding and Etihad Etisalat Co. (Mobily) suffered worst of all large caps, dipping by 2.59 percent and 1.23 percent respectively.

Sectoral performance was mixed, with eight sectors accumulating an aggregate of 178.5 points and seven sectors trimming over 400 points collectively.

Transport was major winner among sectoral indices, which marginally increased by 1.6 percent to close the day at 4,948.19.

On the other hand, Media and Publishing sector continued its downward spiral and fell for a fourth session yesterday, shedding roughly 200 points or 5.43 percent. Tihama Advertising & Public Relations Co. showing excessive losses of SR 16.5 or 9.92 percent became the major decliner at Tadawul.

Market breadth was positive, whereby 74 symbols closed in green and 61 closed in red, while 21 remained unchanged.

Share price of National Gypsum Company rallied to a maximum growth of 10 percent, clinching the spot as top gainer amongst Saudi stocks.

Saudi Real Estate, Allied Insurance and Al Ahlia Insurance followed it, advancing more than six percent for the day.

Tadawul volume went slightly down by 5.9 percent and traded 215.7 million shares as compared to previous day’s 229.2 million shares. The 50-day average for trading volume is closer to 204 million shares.

Saudi Industrial Export Co. was significant gainer among most active stocks, surging by 4.4 percent and capturing 8.3 percent of the overall market volume.