Foreign Investor Shares in Saudi Stock Market Settle Above 5%

A Saudi trader monitors stocks at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh. Reuters/Faisal Nasser
A Saudi trader monitors stocks at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh. Reuters/Faisal Nasser
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Foreign Investor Shares in Saudi Stock Market Settle Above 5%

A Saudi trader monitors stocks at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh. Reuters/Faisal Nasser
A Saudi trader monitors stocks at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh. Reuters/Faisal Nasser

The shares of foreign investors in the Saudi stock market reached 5.06 percent end of August, exceeding five percent for the second month in a row.

The market value of the shares has inched close to SAR100 billion (USD26.6 billion), reaching at the end of August tradings to SAR95.9 billion (USD25.5 billion).

The data comes as a report by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Investment revealed a growth in the profitability of the Saudi private sector in 2017. Sectors that enjoyed the most growth were administrative consultations, manufacturing of equipment, mining, recycling, natural gas, financial consultation activities, training, education, maintenance, agricultural activities, administrative facilities and warehouses of medical and pharmaceutical products.

Qawaem 2017 report revealed that the growth included revenues of the refined oil products industry, chemical products industry, education, agriculture, fishing, medicines, pharmaceuticals, health, food products, media, and publishing.

All institutions of the private sector are compelled to provide Qawaem with financial lists of 2017, within a determined period after the end of the fiscal year. The program aims to improve and increase work efficiency and take advantage of the financial statements to provide information and services unique to the beneficiaries, stakeholders, and shareholders.

According to the General Authority for Statistics, the domestic product of the non-oil sector in Saudi Arabia achieved positive growth of 1.6 percent during the first quarter of the current year, while that of the non-oil sector reached around 2.7 percent during the same period.

The economy expanded at an annual rate of 1.2 percent in the first quarter, according to the authority. 



Moody's Upgrades Saudi Arabia's Credit Rating

Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
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Moody's Upgrades Saudi Arabia's Credit Rating

Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters

The credit rating agency “Moody’s Ratings” upgraded Saudi Arabia’s credit rating to “Aa3” in local and foreign currency, with a “stable” outlook.
The agency indicated in its report that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification and the robust growth of its non-oil sector. Over time, the advancements are expected to reduce Saudi Arabia’s exposure to oil market developments and long-term carbon transition on its economy and public finances.
The agency commended the Kingdom's financial planning within the fiscal space, emphasizing its commitment to prioritizing expenditure and enhancing the spending efficiency. Additionally, the government’s ongoing efforts to utilize available fiscal resources to diversify the economic base through transformative spending were highlighted as instrumental in supporting the sustainable development of the Kingdom's non-oil economy and maintaining a strong fiscal position.
In its report, the agency noted that the planning and commitment underpin its projection of a relatively stable fiscal deficit, which could range between 2%-3% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Moody's expected that the non-oil private-sector GDP of Saudi Arabia will expand by 4-5% in the coming years, positioning it among the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, an indication of continued progress in the diversification efforts reducing the Kingdom’s exposure to oil market developments.
In recent years, the Kingdom achieved multiple credit rating upgrades from global rating agencies. These advancements reflect the Kingdom's ongoing efforts toward economic transformation, supported by structural reforms and the adoption of fiscal policies that promote financial sustainability, enhance financial planning efficiency, and reinforce the Kingdom's strong and resilient fiscal position.