RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed in red on Thursday, losing 68.61 points, or 0.57 percent, to settle at 11,892.44. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR10.9 billion ($2.9 billion), as 51 of the listed stocks advanced, while 185 retreated.  

The MSCI Tadawul Index also decreased by 8.95 points, or 0.60 percent, to close at 1,489.42. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 247.96 points, or 0.79 percent, to close at 31,444.21. This comes as 33 of the listed stocks advanced, while 49 retreated. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Savola Group, with its share price surging by 9.97 percent to SR36.95. 

Other top performers included Middle East Specialized Cables Co., which saw its share price rise by 5.14 percent to SR41.90, and Arabian Centers Co., which saw a 3.94 percent increase to SR21.62. 

Bawan Co. and Al-Baha Investment and Development Co. also saw a positive change, with their share prices surging by 3.64 percent and 3.23 percent to SR57 and SR0.32, respectively. 

The worst performer of the day was Fitaihi Holding Group, whose share price fell by 6.68 percent to SR4.05. 

Arabian Contracting Services Co. and AYYAN Investment Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 4.17 percent and 14.42 percent to SR156.40 and SR3.87, respectively.  

Moreover, Raydan Food Co. and East Pipes Integrated Co. for Industry also saw declines in today’s session, with their share prices dropping by 3.32 percent and 3.30 percent to SR22.10 and SR135, respectively. 

On Nomu, the top performer was Leaf Global Environmental Services Co., with its share price surging by 13.29 percent to reach SR110. 

In second place was Intelligent Oud Co. for Trading, which saw an 8.92 percent surge in terms of share price to SR48.25, followed by National Environmental Recycling Co., which saw a 6.71 percent surge in its share price to reach SR8.11. 

Saudi Azm for Communication and Information Technology Co. and Gas Arabian Services Co. also fared well with 6.16 percent and 4.67 percent increases, respectively. 

On the announcement front, United Electronics Co., also known as eXtra, has recommended repurchasing up to 3 million ordinary shares to be held as treasury shares, according to a filing with the Tadawul. 

The board highlighted that the current market price of the company’s stock is below its fair value, prompting the buyback proposal. 

The repurchase will be financed through eXtra’s internal resources, including proceeds from the successful initial public offering of its subsidiary, United International Holding Co. 

Currently, 4.4 percent of eXtra’s share capital is held as treasury shares. The company highlighted that repurchased shares will not carry voting rights at shareholders’ meetings. 

The proposed buyback is subject to approval by the extraordinary general meeting. It will also require compliance with financial solvency requirements outlined in the executive regulations of the Companies Law governing listed joint-stock companies. 

ACWA Power Co. has also submitted a request to the Capital Market Authority to increase its capital through an SR7.13 billion rights issue, according to a bourse filing. 

The company stated that further updates regarding the capital increase will be disclosed in due course. 

Red Sea International Co.’s subsidiary, Fundamental Installation for Electric Work Co., has signed an agreement to increase its credit facilities with Saudi Awwal Bank by SR100 million, according to a statement to Tadawul. 

As a result, the total value of the facilities will rise to SR296.11 million, with the financing period extending until Dec. 18, 2025. 

The agreement includes a promissory note of SR296.10 million signed by Fundamental Installation for Electric Work, Red Sea International, and MSB Holding, as well as Fares Esamet Al-Saadi and Zeyad Al-Sayegh. 

Personal guarantees of SR14.50 million and SR29.01 million were also provided by Al-Sayegh and Al-Saadi, respectively, while MSB Holding and Red Sea International issued corporate guarantees of SR101.56 million and SR151.01 million, respectively. 

The additional credit facilities aim to increase the limit of letters of credit to support the import and procurement of goods for one of the company’s projects. 

United Electronics Co.’s share price increased by 3.05 percent in Thursday’s trading session to reach SR98. 

ACWA Power Co. Saw a 2.13 percent drop in its share price to close Thursday’s trading at SR377.60.

Red Sea International Co.’s share price dropped 1.06 percent to settle at SR0.60 by Thursday’s end.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s sports sector market value is projected to hit $22.4 billion by 2030, up from $8 billion, driven by a surge in investments and a growing focus on the industry.

According to the report released by SURJ Sports Investments, a company under the Public Investment Fund, the Kingdom has hosted over 100 major international events across 40 different sports since 2019.

This growth supports Vision 2030’s goal of developing the Kingdom into a global sport and entertainment hub, with Middle East and North Africa sports market revenue projected to rise from $4.79 billion in 2024 to $5.57 billion by 2029, as per data from Statista.

Major events hosted by the Kingdom include the FIFA Club World Cup, the Saudi Cup horse race, and various Formula 1 races held in Jeddah.

“These efforts culminated in December with the Kingdom officially winning the right to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup,” said Danny Townsend, the CEO of SURJ Sports Investments.

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sports development is evident in financial investments. SURJ’s report highlighted that the sector’s contribution to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product grew from $2.4 billion in 2016 to $6.9 billion in 2019. 

Annual contributions are projected to reach $16.5 billion by 2030, accounting for 1.5 percent of the national GDP. Additionally, sports investments are expected to generate over 100,000 jobs in the next decade.

Key achievements in the sector include the launch of the Professional Fighters League Middle East and North Africa, supported by SURJ Sports Investments, marking the first regional mixed martial arts league. 

“This initiative opens new avenues for athletes from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to compete in this discipline,” Townsend added.

The sector also saw a rise in infrastructure spending, with plans for $2.7 billion to develop and renovate facilities by 2028, according to the report.

The growing enthusiasm for sports among Saudi citizens has been pivotal. Participation rates in physical activities have increased, with 50 percent of the population now exercising regularly, up from 13 percent in 2015. 

This shift has been supported by initiatives like the “Sports for All Federation,” which engaged over 295,000 participants in community programs in 2023 alone.

Female participation has also increased by 400 percent since 2015, and women now make up 45 percent of community sports club members. A total of 97 female coaches were registered in 2023, reflecting a 61 percent year-on-year increase.

Saudi Arabia’s investment in esports and digital gaming is another growth frontier. The country has earmarked $38 billion for the sector, with the goal of contributing $13.3 billion to the national GDP by 2030. 

Hosting major events like the Esports World Cup has cemented the Kingdom’s status as a leader in the industry.

“As we approach 2025, the focus will remain on continuing efforts to achieve more accomplishments,” the CEO said.