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. 



Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.