Size of foreign investors’ ownership in the Saudi stock market reaches $25.9 bln

The number of foreign investors in the Saudi stock market stood at 5 percent at the end of last Thursday, with a total value of SAR 97.2 bln, equivalent to $25.9 bln.

In this regard, Tadawul announced that net foreign purchases of foreign direct investment during the week ending July 5 amounted to SAR 161.8 mln, equivalent to $43.1 mln.

The growing rates in foreign ownership investors in the Saudi stock market reflects the attractiveness of Saudi Arabia's financial market and the high level of confidence the Saudi economy currently enjoys, according to pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.

Saudi stocks edged up on Monday with banks and industrial companies driving the index higher, while indexes in Dubai and most other parts of the Gulf slipped. The Saudi index closed up 1.3 percent, with Al Rajhi Bank and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation the main drivers, climbing 2.5 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively.

This also comes as Ma’aden, Al-Ahli Commercial Bank, Samba Bank, Saudi companies Jarir and Kayan ended their trading on Sunday at a rate of between 1 and 4 percent.