Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,892

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,892
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR2.79 billion ($746 million), as 132 of the stocks advanced and 86 retreated. Shutterstock
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Updated 25 December 2024
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,892

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,892
  • Parallel market Nomu gained 86.66 points, or 0.28%, to close at 31,007.06
  • MSCI Tadawul Index lost 3.16 points, or 0.21%, to close at 1,493.74

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Wednesday, losing 21.63 points, or 0.18 percent, to close at 11,892.32.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR2.79 billion ($746 million), as 132 of the stocks advanced and 86 retreated. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 86.66 points, or 0.28 percent, to close at 31,007.06. This comes as 49 of the listed stocks advanced, while 29 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index lost 3.16 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 1,493.74. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., whose share price surged 8.33 percent to SR0.52. 

Other top performers included Red Sea International Co., whose share price rose 6.32 percent to SR60.60 and Saudi Industrial Development Co., whose share price surged 5.07 percent to SR30.05.

MBC Group Co. recorded the biggest drop, falling 3.31 percent to SR52.50.

Bawan Co. also saw its stock prices fall 3.05 percent to SR54.10.

Savola Group saw its stock prices drop 2.97 percent to SR35.90.

On the announcements front, Saudi Arabian Mining Co., also known as Ma’aden, has announced ‎acquiring a full stake of Mosaic Phosphate in Waad Al-Shamal Phosphate Co. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the financial impact of the acquisition will be reflected in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending Dec.31.

Ma’aden ended the session at SR49.20, up 0.61 percent.

Kingdom Holding Co. has announced the acquisition of an additional stake in xAI, with a total investment of SR 1.5 billion, as part of xAI’s Series C funding round. 

A bourse filing revealed that the transaction comes after KHC’s previous investment of the same amount in xAI during its Series B funding round. 

The move falls in line with KHC’s strategic collaboration with Elon Musk, and also follows its strategic stake in X, formerly known as Twitter, held since 2015. xAI is an artificial intelligence firm established by Elon Musk and a team of top-notch engineers to build AI to further accelerate human scientific discovery as a whole.

KHC ended the session at SR9.35, up 0.88 percent.

Bank Al-Jazira has announced its intention to issue Additional Tier 1 Sukuk under its SR 5 billion Additional Tier 1 Capital Sukuk Issuance Program by way of private placement in Saudi Arabia. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the bank has mandated Al-Jazira Capital, Al-Rajhi Capital and HSBC Saudi Arabia as joint lead managers and dealers for the potential offer. The filing further revealed that the purpose of the offer is to bolster the capital base of the bank, thereby backing its financial and strategic needs.

Bank Al-Jazira ended the session at SR18.64, up 0.21 percent.

Methanol Chemicals Co. has announced the approval of the Ministry of Energy’s request to renew the allocation of the required feedstock to produce several specialized petrochemical products. 

A bourse filing revealed that this follows the company’s Industrial Plot Allocation Agreement with Jubail and Yanbu Industrial Cities Services Co. in the PlasChem Park in Jubail (2) to establish and operate a Choline Chloride and Methyl Diethanolamine Methane plant.

Methanol Chemicals Co. ended the session at SR18.70, down 0.32 percent.

View United Real Estate Development Co. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Watheeq Capital to establish real estate funds to enhance investment opportunities.

According to a Tadawul statement, it will be valid from the date of its signature for one year, and will not be automatically renewed except by a written agreement signed between the two parties.

View United Real Estate Development Co. ended the session at SR68.50, down 0.70 percent.


Experts highlight real estate financing, foreign investment at Saudi forum

Experts highlight real estate financing, foreign investment at Saudi forum
Updated 24 sec ago
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Experts highlight real estate financing, foreign investment at Saudi forum

Experts highlight real estate financing, foreign investment at Saudi forum

RIYADH: Experts at the Real Estate Future Forum emphasized the evolving landscape of property financing in Saudi Arabia, pointing to strong bank portfolios, public-private partnership opportunities, and a focus on foreign investment.

The Managing Director and Partner at Watheeq Financial Services, Ibrahim Al-Alwan, highlighted the rising significance of property financing for financial institutions: “Today, we see that banks’ portfolios in real estate financing are very high. The process involves regulation, management, and the implementation of effective tools for investment and financing.”

Joe Jabbour, managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group, underlined the vast potential for PPPs, particularly in utilities, social, and civil infrastructure, facilitated by government offtake agreements.

“I must say that most of the investments that are being structured and are being prepared for the market, have the foreign investors in mind,” Jabbour said. 

On its second day, the forum explores the key trends shaping Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector as it advances toward Vision 2030 goals.

The inaugural day included industry leaders, policymakers, and investors who discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing focus on property development, investment strategies, and tourism expansion.

Governor of Asir Region Prince Turki Bin Talal said during a panel that the Public Investment Fund has nine projects in development, with four already launched and five underway in the region. 

The governor also said that Asir has between 6,000 and 8,000 approved and licensed hotel rooms. In line with this momentum, he also announced that the Ministry of Sports has officially recognized Abha’s World Cup bid as the best in the Kingdom.

A key highlight from the first day was the Capital Market Authority’s announcement permitting foreign investment in Saudi-listed companies that own real estate in Makkah and Madinah.

“On behalf of the CMA, we congratulate these companies,” CMA’s Chairman Mohammed El-Kuwaiz said.

The Real Estate Future Forum, taking place from Jan. 27 to 29 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, serves as a global platform for shaping the industry’s future. Uniting over 300 speakers from 85 countries, the event explores innovations, sustainability initiatives, and investment strategies under the theme “Future for Humanity: Shaping Dreams into Reality.”

The upcoming event days are set to provide an outlook on integrating advanced technologies into the real estate sector, with panels diving into emerging trends like virtual reality for property marketing, the role of the metaverse in digital real estate, and the use of robotics and 3D printing in construction.


Abu Dhabi property deals up 24.2% in 2024 as foreign investment soars

Abu Dhabi property deals up 24.2% in 2024 as foreign investment soars
Updated 10 min 24 sec ago
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Abu Dhabi property deals up 24.2% in 2024 as foreign investment soars

Abu Dhabi property deals up 24.2% in 2024 as foreign investment soars

JEDDAH: Abu Dhabi’s real estate market experienced a 24.2 percent year-on-year growth in 2024, with a total of 28,249 transactions, driven by sustained demand, strategic projects, and a focus on market transparency, official data revealed. 

The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Center reported that the UAE capital saw a 10.45 percent increase in transaction value, reaching 96.2 billion dirhams ($26.19 billion) in 2024. The sector recorded 16,735 sales transactions valued at 58.5 billion dirhams and 11,514 mortgage deals worth 37.7 billion dirhams. 

The market’s growth comes amid Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to develop a transparent property market aimed at attracting both local and global investors. This strategy helped the city secure a spot among the top five global improvers in the 2024 Global Real Estate Transparency Index, compiled by property consultancy JLL. 

This trend is part of a broader regional push, with property markets in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE undergoing reforms to better cater to global investor needs. Saudi Arabia, for instance, recently announced that foreigners can now invest in Saudi-listed companies owning real estate in Makkah and Madinah, following a landmark decision by the Kingdom’s Capital Market Authority. 

ADREC Acting Director Rashed Al-Omaira said Abu Dhabi’s inclusion in the GRETI underscores its “commitment to fostering transparency and trust within the sector.” 

“The sustained growth of Abu Dhabi’s real estate market over the past decade reflects a strategy that prioritizes market stability,” he added. 

ADREC also launched 38 new off-plan projects and completed 12 major developments in 2024, with the center adding that these projects were selected to offer a diverse range of options, designs, and price points, catering to a broad spectrum of investors. 

The market also saw a notable increase in foreign direct investment, which grew by 125 percent year on year, with the sector attracting over 7.86 billion dirhams in 2024. This investment came from 2,302 investors across 105 countries, including the US, the UK, and Kazakhstan, as well as Russia, France, and China. 

“The surge in FDI highlights Abu Dhabi’s adaptability and resilience in an evolving global economy. It is a testament to the emirate’s forward-thinking policies, investment-friendly environment, and world-class infrastructure that ensure sustainable growth,” said Al-Omaira.   

This comes as real estate markets in other key UAE cities, including Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, saw significant transaction volume growth over the past year, driven by diverse investment opportunities and rising demand for various property types.

Official data from the real estate authorities across the four emirates revealed that the total value of real estate transactions reached approximately 893 billion dirhams by the end of 2024, with more than 331,300 transactions recorded. 

Al-Omaira stated that ADREC is committed to strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as a global investment hub and a model for urban living. 

“Our real estate sector is a cornerstone of the emirate’s economic vision, driving sustainable development and enhancing quality of life for residents through innovative, high-quality projects,” he added. 


Saudi Arabia’s NHC to offer affordable homes 20% below market rates, CEO says 

Saudi Arabia’s NHC to offer affordable homes 20% below market rates, CEO says 
Updated 54 min 11 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s NHC to offer affordable homes 20% below market rates, CEO says 

Saudi Arabia’s NHC to offer affordable homes 20% below market rates, CEO says 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s state-owned developer NHC will price units 20 percent below market rates as part of its strategy to meet the surging demand for affordable housing, revealed its CEO. 

In an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the fourth Real Estate Future Forum in Riyadh, Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Buty stated that the company will offer more than 140,000 housing units in 2025, starting at SR375,000 ($99,979), “which are very good prices, especially in Riyadh.” 

The company’s goals align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which is seeking to address the rising housing demand driven by population growth and economic expansion. 

“Most of the demand is in Riyadh, where we see the highest pressure on prices. However, we are also addressing demand in 17 cities nationwide, ensuring both affordability and quality,” Al-Buty said.

He added: “The focus we have is because the demand is real ... if there is demand, we have to focus on that. But we did not miss other cities as well. We are serving other cities.”

This comes after the company launched NHC Innovation on the event’s first day, a technology-driven subsidiary focused on delivering innovative real estate and municipal solutions while advancing new technologies. 

Al-Buty emphasized the importance of the development, saying: “We became the largest real estate company and market leader, so we decided to spin off a subsidiary to drive innovation and enter a new era of providing AI services.”

He added: “We have more than 20 million clients in our database. The company was born big, and just in 2024, we had more than half a billion transactions. We also had over 3.5 billion visitors to the platform.”

Al-Buty also highlighted NHC’s efforts to proactively manage supply chain challenges by securing materials and contractors in advance. 

“We work with both local and international suppliers to secure materials for the next two to three years. This helps us keep costs manageable despite the rising demand in the market,” he said.

The CEO continued: “That initiative was really great for our partners as well. If we succeed in securing those materials for our project at the current cost, I think we’ve done a great job, and we’re even trying to acquire them at a lower cost.”

He added: “That’s because the overall development in the country is driving prices a bit higher, so we’re working to secure those materials on time and at the current cost.”

NHC, which aims to supply 300,000 housing units by 2025, is expected to host over 1 million residents by 2030. That figure is projected to double to nearly 2 million in subsequent years. 

Al-Buty reiterated NHC’s focus on delivering value to its clients. “We are creating unique opportunities for ownership and investment while ensuring our housing solutions meet the market’s needs.”


Abu Dhabi’s PureHealth agrees to buy 60% stake in Hellenic Healthcare

Abu Dhabi’s PureHealth agrees to buy 60% stake in Hellenic Healthcare
Updated 28 January 2025
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Abu Dhabi’s PureHealth agrees to buy 60% stake in Hellenic Healthcare

Abu Dhabi’s PureHealth agrees to buy 60% stake in Hellenic Healthcare

DUBAI: Abu Dhabi’s PureHealth Holding has agreed to buy a 60 percent stake in Hellenic Healthcare Group, in a deal valuing the provider of private healthcare services in Greece and Cyprus at €2.2 billion ($2.31 billion).

CVC Capital Partners will retain a 35 percent stake in the business while HHG’s CEO Dimitris Spyridis will keep the remaining 5 percent stake, PureHealth said in a statement, without disclosing a timeline for the completion of the deal.

PureHealth, owned by Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ, has been investing in recent years to grow its portfolio and expand globally.

Last year, it acquired British hospital operator Circle Health Group for around $1.2 billion, while in 2022 it snapped a 26 percent stake in US firm Ardent Health Services.

“Integrating HHG into our portfolio not only reinforces our position in Europe but also creates significant value for our group by contributing to revenue diversification, driving operational synergies, and strengthening our financial performance,” said Shaista Asif, Group CEO at PureHealth, in a statement on the company’s website.

“This move aligns with our vision of becoming a global leader in healthcare, with more than 50 percent of our revenues originating outside the GCC.”

The deal will allow PureHealth to serve a further 1.4 million patients annually, it said, noting the move underscores the firm’s “ambition to diversify its revenue streams and enhance operational efficiencies.”

It is also another step in Abu Dhabi’s accelerating efforts to diversify its economy, as the UAE’s capital invests in fields like technology and health to cut reliance on oil revenues.

AI-powered health care company M42, backed by one of ADQ’s bigger peers Mubadala, last week announced a new operating structure to support more acquisitions and expansion into new markets.


Oil Updates — prices hover near two-week low; weak China data adds to demand concerns

Oil Updates — prices hover near two-week low; weak China data adds to demand concerns
Updated 28 January 2025
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Oil Updates — prices hover near two-week low; weak China data adds to demand concerns

Oil Updates — prices hover near two-week low; weak China data adds to demand concerns

NEW YORK/SINGAPORE: Oil prices ticked up but hovered near a two-week low on Tuesday after weak economic data from China and warming weather forecasts elsewhere soured the demand outlook.

Brent crude oil futures rose by 42 cents, or 0.54 percent, to $77.5 per barrel by 7:30 a.m. Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 34 cents, or 0.46 percent, to $73.51. Brent settled on Monday at its lowest since Jan. 9, while WTI hit its lowest since Jan. 2.

China, the world’s largest importer of crude oil, reported on Monday an unexpected contraction in manufacturing activity in January, adding to concerns over global crude demand growth.

“The general tone of caution in the risk environment, coupled with weaker Chinese PMI numbers that cast further doubt on China’s oil demand outlook, may serve as a drag on oil prices,” IG analyst Yeap Jun Rong said.

China’s crude oil demand is also expected to be hit by the latest US sanctions on Russian oil trade. FGE analysts see refineries in Shandong losing up to 1 million barrels per day of crude supply in the near-term amid a ban imposed by the Shandong Port Group on US-sanctioned tankers.

“Alternative crude barrels (to Russian supply) are being sought after at the same time, but they come at much higher costs,” the analysts noted.

Several independent refineries in China have halted operations, or plan to do so, for indefinite maintenance periods, sources told Reuters, as new Chinese tariff and tax policies plunge plants deeper into losses.

India, the world’s third-largest crude importer, also faces disruptions to Russian oil supply, but refiners there are taking advantage of a wind-down period in the sanctions to make purchases until March, the FGE analysts said.

In the US, weather forecasts are for warmer-than-normal temperatures through this week, which is weighing on demand for heating fuels after extreme cold sparked a natural gas and diesel rally in prior sessions.

“Temperatures in both regions (US and Europe) are increasing, allowing for heating fuel demand to slide off some,” StoneX oil analyst Alex Hodes said on Monday.

Broader financial markets were under pressure from a surge of interest in a low-cost artificial intelligence model launched by Chinese firm DeepSeek.

“Losses (in the oil market) appear relatively limited from the turmoil in US tech stocks,” IG’s Yeap said.

Still, caution is likely to persist as the Feb. 1 deadline for US tariffs approaches, with any potential trade restrictions likely to introduce downside risks to global growth, which could translate to downward pressure on oil, Yeap added.