Firms’ Outcomes Influence Saudi Stocks Trading

 An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 18, 2016. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 18, 2016. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
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Firms’ Outcomes Influence Saudi Stocks Trading

 An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 18, 2016. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 18, 2016. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

Saudi Stock Exchange index closed last week at a level below 8,000 by 79 points, amid expectations that fiscal firms outcomes for Q3 would play an influential role in the performance of the index in the coming five weeks.

Saudi firms started revealing Q3 results last Tuesday, in a duration that lasts till Nov. 11.

This coincides with a time when foreign investment purchases reached a value of SAR18.3 billion (USD4.89 billion) last month – this value represents 28.3 percent of total purchases.

This way, foreign investment ownership jumped to 8.6 percent.

Further, Saudi Stock Exchange index closed the weekly trading with a relapse of 1.3 percent, i.e. 107 points. It ended at levels of 7,921 points, a drop that is attributed by specialists to the drop in oil prices last week.

Monetary liquidity marked a remarkable rise during last week, reaching around SAR14.9 billion (USD3.9 billion) compared to SAR9.8 billion (USD2.6 billion) in the past week. This registered a rise of 51.5 percent.

In this context, financial analyst Khaled Yahya expected that the Saudi firms would make sufficient profit for many traders and investors. He added that the profits might be close to the achieved results in Q2 of this year.

Yahya continued that the current indicators of the Saudi economy are encouraging and the private sector is a key pillar by which listed companies are an important part of it.



Saudi Transport, Logistics Sector Set for 10% Growth in Q2

An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)
An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)
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Saudi Transport, Logistics Sector Set for 10% Growth in Q2

An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)
An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)

As Saudi companies start reporting their Q2 financial results, experts are optimistic about the transport and logistics sector. They expect a 10% annual growth, with total net profits reaching around SAR 900 million ($240 million), driven by tourism and an economic corridor project.

In Q1, the seven listed transport and logistics companies in Saudi Arabia showed positive results, with combined profits increasing by 5.8% to SAR 818.7 million ($218 million) compared to the previous year.

Four companies reported profit growth, while three saw declines, including two with losses, according to Arbah Capital.

Al Rajhi Capital projects significant gains for Q2 compared to last year: Lumi Rental’s profits are expected to rise by 31% to SAR 65 million, SAL’s by 76% to SAR 192 million, and Theeb’s by 23% to SAR 37 million.

On the other hand, Aljazira Capital predicts a 13% decrease in Lumi Rental’s net profit to SAR 43 million, despite a 44% rise in revenue. This is due to higher operational costs post-IPO.

SAL’s annual profit is expected to grow by 76% to SAR 191.6 million, driven by a 29% increase in revenue and higher profit margins.

Aljazira Capital also expects a 2.8% drop in the sector’s net profit from Q1 due to lower profits for SAL and Seera, caused by reduced revenue and profit margins.

Mohammad Al Farraj, Head of Asset Management at Arbah Capital, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the sector’s continued profit growth is supported by seasonal factors like summer travel and higher demand for transport services.

He predicts Q2 profits will reach around SAR 900 million ($240 million), up 10% from Q1.

Al Farraj highlighted that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), linking India with the GCC and Europe, is expected to boost sector growth by improving trade and transport connections.

However, he warned that companies may still face challenges, including rising costs and workforce shortages.