Tadawul Review:
Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) fell on Thursday, dropping 7.5 points (-0.07%) to close at 11,268. The index opened 1 point above its previous close, but it recovered some losses before the close; however, it still ended in the red zone. Overall, 12 out of 21 sectors closed in the red zone, and 96 shares rose while 157 fell. Health Care Equipment & Services (-0.9%), Utilities (-0.7%), and Software & Services (-2.0%) sectors contributed the most to the index decline. Stockwise, ACWA Power (-1.5%), Sulaiman Alhabib (-1.5%), and RIBL (-1.0%) were the major contributors to the index decline. The trading activity witnessed a decrease in volume and value of -7% and -12%, respectively, to reach 302mn shares and SAR 5.8bn in value traded.
Market Wrap International:
U.S. equities were closed for the Friday session due to the Good Friday, following a week where sentiment had been shaped by movements in energy markets and evolving expectations around Federal Reserve policy. Over the weekend, markets focused on developments in oil prices and ongoing Middle East tensions, with investors assessing potential implications for inflation and global growth heading into the new trading week.
European equities were also closed on Friday in observance of Good Friday, after a cautious tone earlier in the week driven by energy price volatility and mixed economic signals. Weekend attention remained on geopolitical developments and commodity price movements, with investors monitoring how these factors could influence risk sentiment and sector positioning when markets reopen.
Asian markets traded mixed in the latest session, with regional sentiment supported by improved global risk appetite but still influenced by external uncertainties including commodity price movements and geopolitical developments. Gains in Japan and South Korea were driven by strength in technology and export-oriented sectors, while mainland Chinese equities lagged amid softer domestic momentum. The KOSPI rose 2.7%, the Nikkei 225 gained 1.3%, the SHCOMP fell -1.0%, while the Hang Seng was closed for Good Friday.