Tadawul Review:

Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) rose on Wednesday, gaining 1 point (+0.01%) to close at 10,853.73. The index opened 10 points below its previous close, but before closing it faced selling pressure, yet remained in the green zone. Overall, 5 out of 21 sectors closed in the green zone, and 62 shares rose while 200 fell. Energy (+2.5%), Materials (+0.3%), and Software & Services (+0.8%) sectors contributed the most to the index rise. Stockwise, Saudi Aramco (+2.6%), Sabic (+1.7%), and Alinma (+1.0%) were the major contributors to the index rise. The trading activity witnessed an increase in volume and value of +4% and +1%, respectively, to reach 228mn shares and SAR 4.4bn in value traded.

 

Market Wrap International:  

U.S. equities ended mixed as renewed concerns over the Middle East and a sharp rise in oil prices drove investors toward defensive sectors, while persistent questions about the sustainability of the artificial intelligence rally continued to pressure semiconductor shares. Energy stocks outperformed on higher crude prices, but weakness in industrial and financial names weighed on the broader market, limiting gains in technology despite selective buying in large-cap growth stocks. The S&P500 fell -0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined -1.1%, and the NASDAQ rose 0.2%.

European equities ended lower as escalating geopolitical concerns and the surge in energy prices triggered broad-based selling across regional markets, while technology and cyclical sectors led the declines amid a more cautious outlook for global growth. Investors also reduced exposure to export-oriented and industrial companies, with defensive sectors providing only limited support against the wider risk-off move. The FTSE 100 fell -1.7%, the DAX declined -2.2%, the CAC 40 dropped -2.2%, and the EURO STOXX 600 lost -1.6%.

Asian markets are trading mixed as concerns over elevated oil prices and a reassessment of artificial intelligence valuations continue to pressure regional technology shares, while investors remain focused on currency movements and the implications of higher energy costs for economic growth. South Korean equities led regional losses as semiconductor stocks extended their decline, while Japanese shares weakened alongside technology exporters. The KOSPI dropped -5.3%, the Nikkei 225 declined -2.1%, the SHCOMP fell -0.5%, and the Hang Seng gained 3.0%.