RIYADH: Saudi stocks closed lower on Sunday as inflation worries rocked global stock markets, forcing investors to remain cautious.
The main index, TASI, fell 0.75% to 12,334, while the parallel market, Nomu, fell 0.80% to 22,329.
The Kingdom Holding Co. climbed 9.90%, after the Saudi PIF acquired a 16.87% stake in the company from Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
Gainers included Lazurde Co. for Jewelry, which gained 4.57%, after its first quarter profit rose 34%.
Saudi Home Loans Co. fell 0.30%, despite a 9.8% rise in the company’s first-quarter profits.
The National Agricultural Development Co., known as NADEC, added 1.00% after reporting a 137% increase in first-quarter profits.
Al-Baha Investment and Development Co. lost 4.17% following its proposal to reduce its capital by 25%.
In the financial sector, the Kingdom’s most popular bank, Al Rajhi, edged down 0.64%, while Alinma Bank lost 1.95%.
In the pharmaceuticals sector, both companies reversed morning gains. Aldawaa Medical Services Co. fell 1.68% and Nahdi Medical Co. lost 1.40%.
Saudi Aramco, the biggest player in the Saudi oil market, closed trading today down 1.38%.
Shares of Buruj Cooperative Insurance Co. plunged 10% to top the list of fallers.
Oil prices stabilized slightly higher on Friday. Brent crude hit $112.55 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude hit $110.28 a barrel.
