JEDDAH: The BMG Saudi Index, which comprises the top 30 active companies in Saudi Arabia based on their market capitalization after removing government ownership, finished the week’s first trading session rising by 3.6 percent. The index surged 8.26 points to 240.38 points.
The total turnover went up by 18.1 percent to SR3.7 billion compared to last Wednesday’s turnover of SR3.1 billion, whereas the total number of shares traded appreciated by 11.1 percent to 207.3 million shares versus 186.6 million shares in the previous session. As for the shares’ performance: 28 shares appreciated, whilst only one share depreciated and another share stood still.
All the sectors appreciated yesterday, led by the agricultural sector, which recorded a 7.9 percent increase. The only listed share in the sector, Halawani Bros., appreciated by 7.9 percent to SR25.40, to lead the sector’s level to a higher close.
The industrial sector was higher by 5.2 percent.
The leading share SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corp.) went up by 4.5 percent to close at SR48.60 per share.
The telecommunications sector moved up by 3.2 percent. Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) maintained its negative performance, falling by 0.7 percent to SR45, whereas the two other shares in the sector witnessed gains, as follows: Etihad Etisalat Co. (Mobily) ascended by 5.9 percent to SR33.90, whilst Mobile Telecommunications Company Saudi Arabia (Zain KSA) surged by 6.2 percent to SR12.
The banking sector followed, as it went up by 2.5 percent. The performance of its shares was as follows: Samba Financial Group stood still at SR41.80; Al-Rajhi Bank, the index’s other leading share, grew by 4 percent to SR58, whereas Alinma Bank moved ahead by 1.8 percent to close at SR11.60, whilst registering both highest number of shares traded in the session of 47 million, and the highest turnover in the session of SR542.4 million.
The services sector came in last position along with the insurance sector, both advancing by 1.7 percent. All of the services sector’s shares witnessed gains. Emaar The Economic City reversed its trend, rising by 3.1 percent to reach SR9.95 per share, while Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets Company went up by 7 percent to SR41.00, recording the best performance in the sector. The insurance sector strengthened on the back of the rise in the share price of Malath Cooperative Insurance and Reinsurance Company, its only share, which went up by 1.7 percent to close at SR30.80.
