Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) rose on Wednesday, gaining 74 points (+0.7%) to close at 10,700. The index opened 12 points below its previous close, then gradually climbed to close at its highest point of the session. In general, 16 out of 21 sectors closed in the green zone, and 161 shares rose while 87 fell. Banks (+1.4%), Real Estate (+0.7%), and Consumer Services (+2.2%) sectors contributed the most to the index rise. Stockwise, Al Rajhi Bank (+2.1%), Riyad Bank (+1.5%), and Alinma Bank (+1.4%) were the major contributors. The trading activity witnessed an increase in volume and value of 8% and 18%, respectively, to reach 174mn shares and SAR4.0bn in value traded.
Market Wrap International:
U.S. equities ended under modest pressure as earnings volatility and still-elevated Treasury yields kept investors cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting; a sharp drop in JPMorgan shares weighed on the blue-chip gauge, while technology and industrials showed mixed strength. Investors pared risk ahead of the Fed’s policy signal and data that left rate-cut odds elevated but not certain, prompting rotation into banks and select cyclicals. The NASDAQ edged up 0.1%, the S&P 500 slipped -0.1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell -0.4%.
European equities ended with a mixed tone as gains in financials and defence stocks offset weakness elsewhere while markets tracked U.S. caution ahead of the Fed; local drivers included rating upgrades that helped asset managers and news of increased German defence procurement that lifted defence-related names. The FTSE 100 slightly down by -0.03%, Germany’s DAX rose 0.5%, France’s CAC 40 fell -0.7%, and the EURO STOXX 600 fell by -0.1%.
Asian markets are trading mostly lower as global rate expectations and soft regional sentiment weigh on tech and export-linked shares; uncertainty in China and currency pressures also weighed. The Nikkei 225 is up 0.1%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is down -1.3%, China’s SHCOMP is off -0.4%, and South Korea’s KOSPI is down -0.3%.