The total value of shares traded for the week ending 19 May 2016 amounted to SR26.31 billion, decreasing by 9.15% over the previous week; while total stock market capitalization reached SR1,539.05 billion at the end of this period, decreasing by 0.17% over the previous week. The total value of shares purchased by "Saudi Investors" during this period amounted to SR25.09 billion representing 95.37% of total buying activity, and sales of SR25.23 billion representing 95.89% of total selling activity. Total ownership of "Saudi Investors" stood at 93.06% of total market capitalization as of 19 May 2016, representing a decrease of 0.06% from the previous week. The total value of shares purchased by "GCC Investors" during this period amounted to SR0.540 billion representing 2.05% of total buying activity, and sales of SR0.299 billion representing 1.14% of total selling activity. Total ownership of "GCC Investors" stood at 2.58% of total market capitalization as of 19 May 2016, representing an increase of 0.05% from the previous week. The total value of shares purchased by "Foreign Investors" during this period amounted to SR0.679 billion representing 2.58% of total buying activity, and sales of SR0.783 billion representing 2.98% of total selling activity. Total ownership of "Foreign Investors" stood at 4.37% of total market capitalization as of 19 May 2016, representing an increase of 0.01% from Meanwhile, stock markets in the Gulf fell on Sunday as investors took profits, taking their cue from a dip in Brent oil futures at the end of last week, while concerns over security risks put pressure on Egyptian shares. Riyadh's stock index dropped 1.0 percent to 6,629 points, weighed down by the two largest sectors, banks and petrochemicals. Samba Financial Group and Saudi Basic Industries, the largest listed stock by market value, fell 2.0 and 1.2 percent respectively. But some retail industry shares, which had largely been weak since reporting quarterly results last month, outperformed the market with Fawaz Alhokair, which owns Saudi rights to clothing brands such as Mango and Banana Republic, surging 9.6 percent. The stock has rebounded 25.5 percent since late last week. An HSBC research note said the company was trading at a discount to its peers on a forward valuation basis, even after pricing in some risks to its earnings from a structural slowdown in the Saudi retail sector. — SG
