Saudi Stocks Resume Trade Activity, Jump 137 Pts

Saudi Stocks Resume Trade Activity, Jump 137 Pts
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Saudi Stocks Resume Trade Activity, Jump 137 Pts

Saudi Stocks Resume Trade Activity, Jump 137 Pts

Saudi stock market gains jumped on Tuesday with trade activity resuming after a two-day holiday celebrating the Kingdom’s 88th National Day.

Jumping 137 points, the Saudi index closed at 7,905 points on Tuesday, well above its 200-day average. Analysts read into the jump as a positive technical signal for the index.

The number of shares traded exceeded 121 million shares in over 99 thousand transactions.

In a related context, the Saudi Arabian Capital Market Authority (CMA) approved the initial public listing of 30 percent, or 6 million shares, of Gulf Steel Works Company.

"The prospectus will contain the information and data that the investor needs to know before making the investment decision or not, especially with respect to share prices and financial statements of companies," the market regulator said in a statement.

The prospectus will include all relevant information including the share price, the company's financial statements, activities and management. The document will be published within sufficient time prior to the start of the subscription period.

According to the CMA, the approval will be valid for six months from the board resolution date and will be canceled if the offering and listing of the company's shares are not completed within this period.

However, the CMA approval of the request should not be considered as an endorsement of the feasibility of the investment in the offering or in the shares of the company concerned.

The decision to approve the request means that the regulatory requirements have been complied with in accordance with the Capital Market Law and its Implementing Regulations, the CMA’s statement added.

These developments come after the Saudi Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) approving the Financial Sector Development Program 2020, which is one of the main programs to achieve goals of the Saudi Vision 2030.

The program’s objectives include creating a diversified and effective financial services sector to support the development of the national economy, diversify its sources of income, and stimulate savings, finance, and investment by addressing the sector’s challenges.



Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
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Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices rose over 1% to hit a two-week peak on Friday, heading for the best weekly performance in more than a year, buoyed by safe-haven demand as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified.

Spot gold jumped 1.3% to $2,703.05 per ounce as of 1245 GMT, hitting its highest since Nov. 8. US gold futures gained 1.1% to $2,705.30.

Bullion rose despite the US dollar hitting a 13-month high, while bitcoin hit a record peak and neared the $100,000 level.

"With both gold and USD (US dollar) rising, it seems that safe-haven demand is lifting both assets," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Ukraine's military said its drones struck four oil refineries, radar stations and other military installations in Russia, Reuters reported.

Gold has gained over 5% so far this week, its best weekly performance since October 2023. Prices have gained around $173 after slipping to a two-month low last week.

"We understand that the price setback has been used by 'Western world' investors under-allocated to gold to build exposure considering the geopolitical risks that are still around. So we continue to expect gold to rise further over the coming months," Staunovo said.

Bullion tends to shine during geopolitical tensions, economic risks, and a low interest rate environment. Markets are pricing in a 59.4% chance of a 25-basis-points cut at the Fed's December meeting, per the CME Fedwatch tool.

However, "if Fed skips or pauses its rate cut in December, that will be negative for gold prices and we could see some pullback," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ.

The Chicago Federal Reserve president reiterated his support for further US interest rate cuts on Thursday.

On Friday, spot silver rose 1.8% to $31.34 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $960.13 and palladium fell 0.6% to $1,023.55. All three metals were on track for a weekly rise.