Saudi Stocks: Predictions to Overcome Level of 8000 Points

Man monitoring Saudi Arabia stocks (File photo: Reuters)
Man monitoring Saudi Arabia stocks (File photo: Reuters)
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Saudi Stocks: Predictions to Overcome Level of 8000 Points

Man monitoring Saudi Arabia stocks (File photo: Reuters)
Man monitoring Saudi Arabia stocks (File photo: Reuters)

The Saudi market starts the new week’s trading amid traders’ optimism that the index will be capable of reversing its negative track recorded over the past four weeks and exceed the levels of 8000 points.

The drop in the stock was accompanied by profit-taking operations for many listed companies which achieved noticeable gains in January.

Traders expect more than 155 companies to announce their financial results for the last quarter of 2019 in the coming weeks.

During the first nine months of 2019, net profits of the Saudi companies listed in the Saudi stock market, excluding Saudi Aramco, amounted to about $17.2 billion.

The results of the final quarter of 2019 are expected to achieve unprecedented results in the Saudi stock market, driven by the profits that Saudi Aramco is expected to announce.

Oil prices recorded a 7 percent increase compared to the previous week’s closing, with Brent oil jumping above $57 a barrel and crude oil settling above $52.

On Friday, oil prices recorded their highest levels in about two weeks ago.

Saudi market traders hope that this positive performance will be reflected in the Saudi stock market this week, at a time when most listed companies are still preparing to announce their financial results in the next few weeks.

The Saudi index ended the trading of the last week down by 2.2 percent, closing at 7874 points, compared to the previous week’s closing at 8053 points, continuing its decline for the fourth week in a row.

All the listed sectors recorded a decline during the last week's transactions, except for the media and entertainment sector which rose 2.1 percent, while the shares of 38 companies listed closed on code ‘green’.



Putin, Al-Sudani Discuss OPEC+ Coordination on Oil Price Stability

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin
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Putin, Al-Sudani Discuss OPEC+ Coordination on Oil Price Stability

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Thursday discussed the importance of coordination between OPEC and OPEC+ members on oil price stability in a manner that guarantees fair prices for exporters and consumers.

Putin held a phone call with al-Sudani during which they discussed the OPEC+ oil agreement and the situation in the Middle East, the Kremlin said.

The telephone conversation came days prior to an OPEC+ key meeting expected early next month.

Reuters said that OPEC+ may push back output increases again when it meets on Dec. 1 due to weak global oil demand, according to three OPEC+ sources familiar with the discussions. Ministers last shelved the increase for a month when they met virtually on Nov. 3.

In a statement, the Kremlin on Thursday said Putin and Al-Sudani touched upon various aspects of coordination as part of OPEC+, a format that helps maintain stability in the global oil market, and reaffirmed the importance of continuing to coordinate steps in this format.

The Middle East issues were also mentioned in light of the unprecedented escalation of tensions in the region, it added.

The parties also agreed on further contacts at various levels, the statement said.

Later, Al-Sudani’s office said the phone call touched on energy-related matters, highlighting the importance of coordination among all concerned countries within OPEC and the OPEC+ group to stabilize oil and gas prices, ensuring fair pricing for both producers and consumers.