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SABIC Deal Pushes Saudi Shares to Record Level

SABIC Deal Pushes Saudi Shares to Record Level
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SABIC Deal Pushes Saudi Shares to Record Level

SABIC Deal Pushes Saudi Shares to Record Level

Saudi Aramco's 70 percent purchase of Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) raised the weekly monetary value in the Saudi Stock Exchange to reach a historic level in which monetary liquidity recorded around SAR291.89 billion (USD77.83) on a weekly basis.

This coincided with the market index edging up for the fifth week in a row.

The Saudi Shares Exchange attained the longest series of weekly rises since the beginning of the year, in which the index made remarkable gains for five consecutive weeks. This occurred amid a positive performance of most trading firms and the start of the second tranche of the fifth phase of Saudi Arabia's inclusion of foreign funds affiliated to the FTSE Russell Emerging Market Index.

Saudi Shares Exchange’s trading saw a historic event last week which is Aramco’s acquisition of a 70 percent share of SABIC for SAR259.125 billion (USD69.1 billion). This deal reinforces Aramco’s strategy in diversifying its operations and income sources, and the fact that it isn’t an oil and gas firm only but also one of the biggest petrochemical companies worldwide.

Last week’s trading value recorded a sharp rise of SAR291.89 billion (USD77.83 billion) after sealing four SABIC deals for SAR259.1 billion (USD69.1 billion) compared to around SAR25.89 billion (USD96.90 billion) in the past week.

Saudi Aramco's weight in the FTSE Russell Secondary Emerging Markets index will increase from 0.51 percent to 0.77 percent on including the additional 450 million shares, which were allocated by Saudi Aramco to investors as bonus shares during the book-building process, FTSE Russell said in a statement.

In a related context, listed firms continued to declare fiscal results for Q1 of this year, in which 26 companies disclosed their quarterly outcomes last week bringing the total to 154 companies. A tally of 19 firms didn’t announce their results yet but will do by June 22 as a deadline.

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ACWA Power Reports 44% Surge in Q1 Profit to $113.8 Million

A wind turbine at the Suez Energy Project. (ACWA Power)
A wind turbine at the Suez Energy Project. (ACWA Power)
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ACWA Power Reports 44% Surge in Q1 Profit to $113.8 Million

A wind turbine at the Suez Energy Project. (ACWA Power)
A wind turbine at the Suez Energy Project. (ACWA Power)

Saudi energy and water developer ACWA Power reported a 44% year-on-year increase in net profit for the first quarter of 2025, reaching SAR 427.15 million ($113.8 million), according to a disclosure filed with the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul).

The company attributed the strong performance primarily to higher total revenues, an increase in other operating income before impairment and other charges, a reduction in impairment expenses, and a rise in deferred tax balances. These gains were partially offset by increased costs in project development, general and administrative expenses, and financing charges.

ACWA Power’s revenue rose 57% in the quarter, reaching SAR 1.97 billion ($525.2 million), supported by growth across development and construction management services, operation and maintenance contracts, and electricity sales.

In a letter to investors, CEO Marco Arcelli emphasized that the company maintained strong momentum in developing new projects across all sectors during the first quarter.

These initiatives not only lay the foundation for stable future revenues and cash flows, but also contribute to earnings from procurement and construction management, reinforcing the company’s commitment to financial and operational growth, he noted.

Arcelli expressed optimism about the company’s long-term outlook, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen project development pipelines, improve procurement strategies, and streamline construction execution.

ACWA Power is building a solid platform for consistent and sustainable growth while remaining focused on delivering its strategic objectives, he stressed.

Among the company’s most significant recent projects are several in renewable energy and water. In the solar sector, ACWA Power is developing the Al-Muwayh solar power plant in Saudi Arabia with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts and an investment of approximately SAR 35 million. The plant is scheduled to begin operations under a long-term power purchase agreement starting in 2027.

The company is also working on the Al-Khushaybi solar plant, with a capacity of 35 megawatts.

In wind energy, ACWA Power is constructing the Bash wind farm in Uzbekistan, a 500-megawatt project expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2025. Another wind project in collaboration with Uzbekistan’s national energy company will have a capacity of 65 megawatts and is also scheduled for completion in 2025.

In the water sector, ACWA Power owns a 40% stake in the Taweelah desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates, one of the largest facilities of its kind with a daily capacity of 3 million cubic meters. The company also holds a 35% share in the Sudair solar project in Saudi Arabia, which will generate 1,500 megawatts of electricity.

ACWA Power has expanded its international footprint with recent acquisitions, including an 85% stake in Yanghe New Energy Technology in China. The company also acquired strategic assets in Egypt and Kuwait and is actively entering new markets while expanding its presence in existing ones.

The company continues to prioritize innovation and R&D, particularly in solar and wind energy, green hydrogen, and energy storage. It is advancing new projects, increasing energy sales, and strengthening its global presence through strategic partnerships, including collaborations with Italian firms and others in Africa and East Asia.

ACWA Power has also launched a new research and development center in Shanghai as part of its international growth strategy.