Saudi Stock Value Market Exceeds $2.13 Trillion

Investors monitor a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) (Reuters)
Investors monitor a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) (Reuters)
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Saudi Stock Value Market Exceeds $2.13 Trillion

Investors monitor a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) (Reuters)
Investors monitor a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) (Reuters)

The market value of Saudi stocks exceeded $2.13 trillion dollars driven by 200 points increase in the market index, as a jump in oil prices and positive corporate earnings from the banking sector boosted the stocks.

Saudi Aramco closed at 1.3 percent at 32.35 riyals above its initial public offering price of $8.6, for the first time in 70 days.

The shares of 138 listed companies closed positively on Monday and cash liquidity jumped to levels close to $1.36 billion registering a 27-percent increase compared to Sunday.

Saudi Arabia's index surged 1.4 percent, a 96-points increase, amid active trading compared to the previous sessions.

Meanwhile, about 80 Saudi companies listed in the local market announced their financial results for Q1 of 2020, with 44 companies recording an improvement in their performance, compared to 36 companies that have seen a decline.

The remaining 100 companies are expected to announce their financial results soon, which will affect their shares during the announcement period.

Oil prices climbed on Monday, supported by output cuts and signs of gradual demand recovery amid easing coronavirus curbs and resumption of economic activity.

The booming oil markets also influenced the Saudi stock, as Brent crude jumped 6.1 percent at $34.49 a barrel, while Nimex had a 9 percent increase, exceeding $32 a barrel.

Notably, Saudi index is approaching the 7000-point barrier as traders hope that the market index will exceed this barrier before closing for Eid el-Fitr, backed by the oil prices, given that they improve or maintain the same current levels.



Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.