RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index has climbed 0.9 percent since January, making it the Gulf Cooperation Council region’s second-best performer in 2026 despite recent widespread regional market turbulence.
That positive year-to-date performance puts TASI well ahead of most regional peers this year, with Qatar’s QE 20 down 7.8 percent, Bahrain 5.3 percent lower, and Dubai slipping 4.2 percent.
Only Oman’s MSX 30, up 24 percent YTD, outperforming the Saudi benchmark, according to Kamco Invest’s latest monthly report.
Saudi Exchange data shows total foreign holdings stood at SR437.87 billion ($116.77 billion) at the end of July, with the exchange ranked the 13th largest in the world by market capitalization of SR9.45 trillion and an average daily value traded of SR3.91 billion for the month.
Saudi equities have outperformed most Gulf markets over the past year, supported by strong corporate earnings, steady foreign investment and the Kingdom’s economic diversification drive, despite regional tensions and oil-price volatility.
The YTD cushion held even as TASI slipped 1.9 percent in July, closing at 10,589.7 points, its lowest level since March.
“Despite the decline, Saudi Arabia’s YTD-2026 performance recorded a gain of 0.9 percent, the second-best-performing market in the GCC,” the report said.
Energy supports the market
In July, the Kingdom’s market saw healthcare equipment and services rise 3.7 percent, energy up 1.3 percent, and telecommunication services increased 0.5 percent.
Energy strength came from a 1.4 percent rise in Saudi Aramco and a 21.7 percent jump in Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co., as investors leaned into established players in the sector amid regional supply concerns.
While the banking sector dipped 1.7 percent in July due to a 5.1 percent decline in Al Rajhi Bank, most listed lenders posted gains, including Bank Aljazira, Arab National Bank and Saudi Awwal Bank, each up more than 4.5 percent.
Trading activity eases
Monthly trading volume fell 12.9 percent to 4.6 billion shares, while the value of shares traded dropped 20.3 percent to SR86.7 billion. Al Rajhi Bank topped the value-traded chart at SR6.2 billion, followed by Saudi Aramco and Rabigh Refining.
Tabuk Agricultural Development Co. led July’s gainers with a 47.5 percent surge, while Naseej International Trading Co. posted the steepest monthly decline, falling 31.7 percent, according to the report.
