The total value of shares traded on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) last November dropped by 28.20 percent at SR85.29 billion ($22.74 billion) as against SR118.79 billion traded in the previous month. At the end of November, Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) closed at a level of 6,104.56 points, lost 119.74 points (1.92 percent) over the close of the previous month, Tadawul said on its website Sunday. On an YTD basis, TASI decreased by 7.80 percent (516.19 points). Highest close level for the index during the month was 6,257.27 posted on Nov. 13. Total equity market capitalization at the end of the month reached SR1,210.35 billion ($322.76 billion), decreasing by 2.27 percent against the previous month. The total number of shares traded plunged by 25.33 percent at 3.53 billion shares, compared to 4.73 billion shares traded the previous month. The total number of transactions executed declined by 28.50 percent at 2.12 million compared to 2.97 million trades in October 2011. The percentage share of Saudi nationals from the market trades was 92.5 percent for selling at SR78.87 billion and 90.2 percent for buying at SR76.93 billion. The percentage share of Saudi companies from the market trades was 2.7 percent for selling at SR2.32 billion and 5.2 percent for buying at SR4.46 billion. The percentage share of investment funds from the market trades was 1.1 percent for selling at SR 930.90 million and 1.2 percent) for buying atSR 990.18 million. The percentage share of GCC nationals from the market trades was 0.7 percent for selling at SR592.79 million and 0.7 percent for buying at SR600.42 million. The percentage share of Arab residence in Saudi Arabia from the market trades was 1.8 percent for selling at SR1.56 billion and 1.8 percent for buying at SR1.55 billion. T The percentage share of foreigners residence in Saudi Arabia from the market trades was 0.2 percent for selling at SR207.29 million and 0.2 percent for buying at SR 153.35 million. The percentage share of foreigners via swap agreement from the market trades was 1.0 percent for selling at SR811.53 million and (0.7 percent) for buying at SR602.82 million. However, led by banks and petrochemical companies, Saudi shares rose Saturday for the first in three days after central banks took action to ease Europe's debt crisis and the US reported record Thanksgiving holiday retail sales. The Saudi stock benchmark Tadawul All Share Index advanced 1.07 percent to close at 6,169.61 points, its highest level since Nov. 20. The Middle East's largest bourse has declined 6.9 percent this year. SABIC rose to the highest value since Nov. 20. It added 1.6 points. The banking index also added 1.3 percent to 14,363 points, led by gains in heavyweight Al Rajhi Bank which added 1 percent. Saudi British Bank, which is 40 percent owned by HSBC Holdings Plc, gained as much as 8 percent, the most since January 2010. “The Saudi market is following global events,” Asim Bukhtiar, an equity analyst at Riyad Capital, said.
