The Saudi stock market extended gains for the ninth consecutive session yesterday.

Saudi Arabia’s benchmark stock index (TASI) finished to the upside at 7,645.65 points, adding 32.3 points further or 0.42 percent. While curving in the upward territory throughout the day it rose to a maximum gain of 70 points.

TASI’s year-to-date gains reached nearly 845 points or 12.42 percent.

All market cap indices ended the day in the upward territory.

Twelve out of Tadawul's 15 sectors ended the day with modest gains, accumulating over 625 points collectively.

Agriculture and Tourism were major gainers among sectoral indices, which marginally increased by 1.53 percent and 1.29 percent respectively. Retail sector added considerable 106 points, up 1.1 percent.

On the other hand, Telecommunication & Information Technology sector posted the largest losses, falling 0.8 percent for the day. Large cap Saudi telecom included amongst the worst performers, going down by 2.1 percent to close at SR 41.9.

Most of heavyweights closed in green, with Riyad Bank advancing by 2.02 percent, Kingdom Holding 1.06 percent and bellwether SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corp.) 0.79 percent.

The market breadth with advance-decline ratio of 2.6:1 remained favorable.

Saudi Arabian Cooperative Insurance and Allied Insurance Group led the top gainers chart at Tadawul, surging by 7.86 percent and 6.68 percent respectively.

Market activity remained a little high as compared to previous day; turnover went up by 3.9 percent on volume basis and 2.9 percent in terms of liquidity.

More than 260 million shares worth SR 6.2 billion changed hands on the Saudi stock market.

The top five most active stocks also witnessed a positive change, with Atheeb Telecom rising by 4.85 percent, Saudi Mobile Telecommunications (Zain) 2.06 percent and Emaar the Economic City 1.01 percent.