Foreigners Pump $426 Mn into Saudi Shares Through Direct Investment

Foreigners Pump $426 Mn into Saudi Shares Through Direct Investment
TT

Foreigners Pump $426 Mn into Saudi Shares Through Direct Investment

Foreigners Pump $426 Mn into Saudi Shares Through Direct Investment

Every week foreign investors pump cash into the Saudi Stock market to buy Saudi shares listed on the local capital market, showing the attractiveness of the Kingdom’s financial market.

In this context, the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) announced that the net purchases of foreign investors through foreign direct investment has amounted to about SAR1.6 billion ($426.6 million) last week, a high liquidity that confirms the vitality of investment in the domestic market.

Foreign residing investors have bought more than SAR11 million ($2.93 million) during last week. While foreign investors tended to sell with net liquidity of about SAR44 million ($11.7 million) during the same week through swap agreements.

With the opening of the trading week on Sunday, the index of the Saudi stock market closed on green unlike SABIC, which announced a decline in profits for H1 2019 by 54.7 percent compared to H1 2018.

SABIC fell 0.7 percent and Saudi Arabia's index rose to 8,859 points, gaining 40 points amid a cash flow of two billion riyals ($533.3 million).

The market value stood at SAR2.06 trillion ($549.3 billion) on Sunday while its gains have amounted to13.19 percent since the start of trading.

The average dividend yield of listed companies in the Saudi stock market is around 3.29 percent, which is attractive to an investor looking for cash dividends away from day-to-day trades that require a lot of know-how.

In this regard, Al-Sorayai Group achieved the biggest gains on Sunday with about 10 percent, following a recommendation by the company’s board of directors to reduce the capital by 70.9 percent to cover the accumulated losses.

Notably, foreign strategic investors have become more likely to buy in Saudi companies listed on the capital market.

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has recently confirmed that strategic investors can acquire strategic shares in listed companies according to a package of obligations.

It excluded foreign strategic investors from the condition of owning more than 49 percent of listed companies in the domestic market, indicating the vitality of the country’s financial market.



Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)

The last group of pilgrims from this year’s Hajj season departed Saudi Arabia on Sunday aboard a Saudia flight from Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

The flight carried 320 pilgrims to Kertajati, Indonesia, after they completed their Hajj rituals. Saudia, the Kingdom’s flag carrier, hosted a farewell ceremony, concluding its 74-day Hajj operations.

The first flight for this year’s Hajj season arrived in Madinah on May 9 from India with 283 pilgrims.

They were welcomed by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

Saudi Arabia facilitated 7,700 flights through six airports and provided over 27,000 buses to ease pilgrim transportation. The Haramain High-Speed Railway operated more than 5,000 trips during the season.

Over 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the last Hajj season. Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel confirmed there were no health issues or outbreaks.

The organization of Hajj was praised by leaders of Arab and Islamic countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi commended the excellent organization and services provided to millions of pilgrims.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa praised the meticulous organization and services.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah appreciated the modern smart services and technologies.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted the success of Saudi Arabia’s Hajj management.