Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) rose on Thursday, gaining 58 points (+0.6%) to close at 10,549. The index opened 12 points above its previous close and climbed steadily throughout the session. In general, 21 out of 21 sectors closed in the green zone, and 218 shares rose while 37 fell. Banks (+0.5%), Food and beverages (+1.9%), and Utilities (+1.0%) sectors contributed the most to the index rise. Stockwise, Almarai (+2.4%), Riyad Bank (+1.7%), and ACWA Power (+1.2%) were the major contributors. The trading activity witnessed a decrease in volume and value of -37% and -50%, respectively, to reach 95mn shares and SAR1.6bn in value traded.
Market Wrap International:
U.S. equities ended mixed on the first full trading day of 2026 as investors digested light holiday-season trading and macro cues. S&P 500 rose 0.2%, Dow Jones gained 0.7%, while NASDAQ slightly declined by -0.03%, reflecting profit taking and rotation toward value-oriented sectors amid rising Treasury yields and fading holiday liquidity. Broader market gains were supported by strength in industrials and financials, while growth-tech names underperformed. These movements followed a mixed finish to 2025 and continued into the new year as markets look ahead to U.S. data and Federal Reserve guidance.
European equities ended modestly higher with broad support from cyclical and commodity-linked sectors as trading resumed in 2026. The FTSE 100 increased 0.2%, DAX advanced 0.2%, CAC gained 0.6%, and the EURO STOXX 600 climbed 0.7%, continuing the momentum seen at the end of 2025 as investors rotated into value and financial stocks amid easing rate expectations and record highs for some benchmarks. Market sentiment remained constructive despite thin year-start volumes and mixed regional economic data.
Asian markets are trading with strength as key regional hubs opened the year on a positive note. The Hang Seng surged 2.8% and KOSPI jumped 2.3%, led by technology and export-related stocks on optimism over global growth and chip sector prospects, while SHCOMP was closed for holiday observance and NIKKEI 225 was closed. Gains in Hong Kong and Seoul reflected strong performance in tech and cyclical sectors, with broader Asian sentiment lifted by spillovers from U.S. gains and renewed investor interest after year-end breaks.