Tadawul Expands with Derivative Instruments, Future Contracts

An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 18, 2016. (Reuters)
An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 18, 2016. (Reuters)
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Tadawul Expands with Derivative Instruments, Future Contracts

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

In a bid to provide new opportunities for investors and hedge equity trading risks, the Saudi Stock Exchange, Tadawul, announced the launch of trading in derivative products on August 30.

In a statement on Tuesday, Tadawul said that the launch of the financial derivatives market was aimed at expanding the scope of opportunities in the Saudi market - one of the largest markets in the world in terms of size and liquidity.

Khalid Al-Hussan, Tadawul chief executive, said the move was “further evidence of our commitment to providing our investors with diversified, innovative products and services to meet all their needs.”

He noted that the first derivative to be traded would be an index futures product, the Saudi Futures 30, based on the MSCI Tadawul 30 index launched last year.

He emphasized that other sophisticated financial instruments would be introduced at gradual stages.

“Today, we can proudly say that our capital market is not only the largest in the region but also developing faster than most exchanges in terms of both the products and the services we offer,” Al-Hussan said in the statement.

Tadawul, is currently the only entity authorized to act as a stock market in the Kingdom, listing and trading in securities of public joint stock companies.

Following the Saudi Aramco IPO - the largest offering in history - the Saudi stock market rose to ninth among 67 financial markets in the International Federation of Stock Exchanges in terms of volume.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Tadawul CEO underlined that the new product would further attract investments in the Saudi market.

The derivatives launch falls within the Financial Sector Development Program initiative of the Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy away from oil dependency.



Saudi Arabia’s flynas Successfully Completes Final Allocation of IPO Shares

A Saudi flynas aircraft. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
A Saudi flynas aircraft. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Saudi Arabia’s flynas Successfully Completes Final Allocation of IPO Shares

A Saudi flynas aircraft. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
A Saudi flynas aircraft. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

Saudi Arabia's flynas has successfully completed the final allocation process for its initial public offering (IPO) shares, setting a minimum allotment of 10 shares for each individual subscriber.

This IPO is considered the first of its kind for a Gulf airline in nearly 20 years. flynas will become the third Gulf airline to go public, following the listings of Air Arabia in the UAE and Jazeera Airways in Kuwait.

In a statement, the company confirmed that any surplus subscription funds - if any - will be refunded to individual subscribers no later than June 5. The company will be listed on the Saudi stock exchange once regulatory procedures are completed.

Saudi Minister of Transport Saleh Al-Jasser stated on the X platform that the IPO of the first Saudi airline on the stock market, along with the high oversubscription rates, “reflects the high level of confidence in the Kingdom's aviation sector, which is witnessing remarkable developments and unprecedented annual growth rates, increased air traffic and connectivity, as well as significant investments in infrastructure, all supported by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.”

“Congratulations to flynas on the successful IPO and listing. The aviation sector will continue to enhance its developmental role in supporting the national economy and expanding investment and growth opportunities, in partnership with the private sector,” he added.

The individual investor subscription period, which began on May 28 and lasted for three days, saw the participation of 666 investors, with a final offering price of 30 riyals per share.

Total demand from this segment reached approximately SAR 2.868 billion ($746.5 million), resulting in a coverage ratio of 349.70%.

Meanwhile, flynas reported a net profit of SAR 148 million ($39.4 million) for the first quarter of this year, marking a 1% decrease compared to the net profit of SAR 149 million recorded in the same period last year. However, the company's adjusted net profit increased by 78%.

In a statement, the company attributed the decline in profit to exceptional gains of 66 million riyals recorded in Q1 2024 from a sale and leaseback transaction, which did not recur in the current quarter.

Operating profit rose by 78%, and the company generated revenues of SAR 1.8 billion in the first quarter of 2025, a 6% increase, supported by improved ticket yields and growth in ancillary revenues.

The company stated that its revenue increased by 5% to reach SAR 1.8 billion during the first three months of 2025, attributing the growth to stronger ticket yields and increased ancillary income.