Saudi Stock Exchange Progress, Push Monetary Liquidity to Rise

Saudi men chat outside the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh. (AFP/ File)
Saudi men chat outside the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh. (AFP/ File)
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Saudi Stock Exchange Progress, Push Monetary Liquidity to Rise

Saudi men chat outside the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh. (AFP/ File)
Saudi men chat outside the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh. (AFP/ File)

The balanced performance of Saudi stock exchange is expected to propel monetary liquidity for the aim of investment in listed firms during the coming period. The Saudi index closed Thursday’s trading at 7,085 points amid trading of monetary liquidity of SAR5.1 billion (USD1.36 billion), an enhanced liquidity compared to averages shown during the past three months.

In a related matter, up to 30 Saudi establishments are subject to quarterly evaluation by Saudi Export Development Authority. This assessment evaluates the exporting-readiness of the establishment and analyzes the current condition and potential enhancement opportunities that grant the firm a competitive advantage in accessing the field of exporting and global markets.

According to a statement issued Thursday, a number of field visits were carried out to the firms, which were provided with a detailed analysis of the firm, its points of weakness, progress opportunities and a number of recommendations to increase readiness.

Firms participating in the assessment come from diverse sectors, covering the basic target sectors in the national export strategy, such as petrochemicals, food, medical industries and construction items.

Secretary-General of the Saudi Export Development Authority Saleh al-Salami launched in the beginning of 2017 three initiatives relating to reinforcing exports. These initiatives contribute in meeting three national goals (on exports) listed in the National Transformation Program going in tandem with Saudi Vision 2030.

The three goals are: increasing non-oil exports, reinforcing export-related capabilities, infrastructure and procedures and, third, facilitating access and promotion in target markets.

These developments coincide with a jump of investment funds assets in Saudi Arabia in the third quarter of 2017 (2 percent), compared to the second quarter of the same year. Operating funds reached a total of 278 by the end of the third quarter.

Investment funds assets rose to SAR112.7 billion (USD30 billion) by the end of Q3 2017, revealed Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA).



EU to Keep US Trade Countermeasures on Hold Until August

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (not pictured) at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, 13 July 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (not pictured) at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, 13 July 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
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EU to Keep US Trade Countermeasures on Hold Until August

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (not pictured) at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, 13 July 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (not pictured) at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, 13 July 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS

The EU will extend its suspension of countermeasures to US tariffs until early August as it aims for a negotiated solution on trade with the United States, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump escalated his global trade war on Saturday and threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from the European Union from Aug. 1, separate from sector-specific duties, despite months of intense talks.

Announcing the extension of the halt on retaliatory measures, von der Leyen told reporters the bloc would "continue to prepare further countermeasures so we are fully prepared."

A first package of countermeasures to US tariffs on steel and aluminium that would hit 21 billion euros ($24.6 billion) in US goods was suspended in April for 90 days to allow time for negotiations.

The suspension had been due to expire on Monday.

A second package has been in the works since May and would target 72 billion euros of US goods, but these measures have not yet been made public and the final list requires approval by member states.

Von der Leyen added that use of the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument was not yet on the table.

"The (anti-coercion) instrument is created for extraordinary situations, we are not there yet," Reuters quoted her as saying.

The instrument allows the bloc to retaliate against third countries that put economic pressure on EU members to change their policies.

Possible retaliatory steps could include restricting EU market access to goods and services, and other economic measures related to areas including foreign direct investment, financial markets and export controls.