Saudi Arabia Seeks to Turn Financial Market into Global Investment Platform

The Saudi Capital Market Forum was held in Riyadh on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Capital Market Forum was held in Riyadh on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Seeks to Turn Financial Market into Global Investment Platform

The Saudi Capital Market Forum was held in Riyadh on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Capital Market Forum was held in Riyadh on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia announced its intention to launch a package of new enhancements to develop the post-trading infrastructure and increase its efficiency.

The enhancements are the largest in the history of the Saudi capital market and intend to provide investors with increased investment opportunities and access to a diverse range of financial instruments and new products.

The announcement was made at the Saudi Capital Market Forum, which was held in Riyadh by the Saudi Tadawul Group, under the patronage of Mohammed Elkuwaiz, the Chairman of the Capital Market Authority.

Elkuwaiz said that work was underway to transform the Kingdom into a global hub of Islamic and sustainable finance.

The new enhancements are introduced by three of Saudi Tadawul Group’s subsidiaries: the Saudi Exchange, Securities Clearing Center Company (Muqassa), and Securities Depository Center Company (Edaa).

Eng. Khalid Al-Hussan, CEO of the Saudi Tadawul Group, said that the launch of new improvements to the market infrastructure would contribute to supporting financial stability and integrity, as well as enhancing the group’s products and offerings.

In remarks on the occasion, Al-Hussan noted that the enhancements represent a new positive step in the development of the Saudi financial market.

“These enhancements mark a new chapter in the advancement of the Saudi capital market and align it with global best practices. Our aim is to provide local and international investors with a range of investment opportunities that benefit the Saudi economy and reinforce its position as an attractive global investment destination,” he underlined.

Mohammed Al-Rumaih, CEO of Saudi Exchange at Tadawul, stated that the market would witness a strong momentum from the initial public offering, revealing that 70 listings were currently underway in the financial market and the Capital Market Authority.

Wael Al-Hazzani, CEO of Muqassa, said the enhancements would enable Muqasaa to activate the central clearing services in the main market, parallel market, sukuk, bonds and exchange traded funds.

“Muqassa will enable the introduction of new products and services in the market and implement international practices clearing services for all products traded in Saudi Exchange, which is an essential step to develop the market and enhance its stability,” he added.



Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
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Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices rose over 1% to hit a two-week peak on Friday, heading for the best weekly performance in more than a year, buoyed by safe-haven demand as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified.

Spot gold jumped 1.3% to $2,703.05 per ounce as of 1245 GMT, hitting its highest since Nov. 8. US gold futures gained 1.1% to $2,705.30.

Bullion rose despite the US dollar hitting a 13-month high, while bitcoin hit a record peak and neared the $100,000 level.

"With both gold and USD (US dollar) rising, it seems that safe-haven demand is lifting both assets," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Ukraine's military said its drones struck four oil refineries, radar stations and other military installations in Russia, Reuters reported.

Gold has gained over 5% so far this week, its best weekly performance since October 2023. Prices have gained around $173 after slipping to a two-month low last week.

"We understand that the price setback has been used by 'Western world' investors under-allocated to gold to build exposure considering the geopolitical risks that are still around. So we continue to expect gold to rise further over the coming months," Staunovo said.

Bullion tends to shine during geopolitical tensions, economic risks, and a low interest rate environment. Markets are pricing in a 59.4% chance of a 25-basis-points cut at the Fed's December meeting, per the CME Fedwatch tool.

However, "if Fed skips or pauses its rate cut in December, that will be negative for gold prices and we could see some pullback," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ.

The Chicago Federal Reserve president reiterated his support for further US interest rate cuts on Thursday.

On Friday, spot silver rose 1.8% to $31.34 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $960.13 and palladium fell 0.6% to $1,023.55. All three metals were on track for a weekly rise.