Saudi Shares Fall as Tadawul All Share Index Ends Lower Amid Soft Oil Prices and Seasonally Thin Trading
Benchmark Saudi stock index slips over one percent at close with broad sector pressure as oil market weakness weighs on sentiment
Saudi Arabia’s stock market closed lower on Sunday as the Tadawul All Share Index declined 1.04 per cent, reflecting investor caution and sector-wide losses across key segments including media, tourism and energy.
Equity markets in the Gulf have been under pressure this week as oil prices — a major driver of regional asset performance — trend lower and trading volumes remain subdued amid the holiday period.
The drop in the benchmark index mirrored broader retreats across Gulf exchanges, where lower crude prices and concerns about oversupply have dampened sentiment.
Major Saudi listed firms also saw declines, with financial and energy names among those contributing to the weaker close.
The performance contrasts with occasional earlier sessions this month when light trading and mixed economic signals kept markets range-bound.
Analysts say that the combination of weaker oil benchmarks and thin liquidity typical of year-end trading helps explain the downward move in the kingdom’s main equity gauge.
With investors awaiting more definitive signals on global demand and regional economic data, Saudi equities remain sensitive to shifts in the energy complex and foreign investor participation even as longer-term fundamentals in the economy and Vision 2030 diversification plans continue to shape market outlooks.
Equity markets in the Gulf have been under pressure this week as oil prices — a major driver of regional asset performance — trend lower and trading volumes remain subdued amid the holiday period.
The drop in the benchmark index mirrored broader retreats across Gulf exchanges, where lower crude prices and concerns about oversupply have dampened sentiment.
Major Saudi listed firms also saw declines, with financial and energy names among those contributing to the weaker close.
The performance contrasts with occasional earlier sessions this month when light trading and mixed economic signals kept markets range-bound.
Analysts say that the combination of weaker oil benchmarks and thin liquidity typical of year-end trading helps explain the downward move in the kingdom’s main equity gauge.
With investors awaiting more definitive signals on global demand and regional economic data, Saudi equities remain sensitive to shifts in the energy complex and foreign investor participation even as longer-term fundamentals in the economy and Vision 2030 diversification plans continue to shape market outlooks.
