JEDDAH: The total value of shares traded on the Saudi stock market (Tadawul) reached SR583.32 billion ($155.55 billion) in the first half of 2011, an increase of 28 percent over the same period last year. The total number of shares traded over the same period reached 27.27 billion shares from 19.74 billion shares or an increase of 38.15 percent, Tadawul said Sunday on its website. Total equity market capitalization at the end of the 1st half 2011 reached SR1,307.49 billion ($348.66 billion), increasing by 9.10 percent over the end of the 1st half of the previous year. The total number of transactions executed during the first half 2011 reached 12.94 million, compared to 11.66 million trades during the 1st half of the previous year, increasing by 10.97 percent. At the end of the first half 2011, Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) closed at 6,576.00 points, or a gain of 482.24 points (7.91 percent) over the close of the same period of last year. On an YTD basis, TASI lost 44.75 points (0.68 percent). Highest close level for the index during the period was 6,788.42 points reached on Jan. 16. The total amount of traded shares in the Saudi bourse last month was SR84.48 billion or a decrease of 33.19 percent from the previous month where the value of the traded shares was SR126.44 billion. The percentage share of Saudi nationals from the market trades was 92.20 percent for selling at SR77.89 billion and 86.82 percent for buying at SR73.35 billion. The percentage share of Saudi companies from the market trades was 1.94 percent for selling at SR1.64 billion and 7.21 percent for buying at SR 6.09 billion. The percentage share of investment funds from the market trades was 1.97 percent for selling at SR1.66 billion and 2.26 percent for buying at SR1.91 billion. The percentage share of GCC nationals from the market trades was 1.03 percent for selling at SR866.19 million and 1.19 percent for buying at SR1.01 billion. The percentage share of Arab residing in Saudi Arabia from the market trades was 1.55 percent for selling at SR1.31 billion and 1.55 percent for buying at SR1.31 billion. The percentage share of other foreigners residing in Saudi Arabia from the market was 0.24 percent for selling at SR202.96 million and 0.19 percent for buying at SR160.89 million. The percentage share of foreigners via swap agreement from the market was 1.07 percent for selling at SR905.30 million and 0.77 percent for buying at SR653.53 million.
