RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Sunday, gaining 75.81 points, or 0.62 percent, to close at 12,331.87. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.39 billion ($1.43 billion), as 148 of the stocks advanced and 78 retreated.    

Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 101.41 points, or 0.32 percent, to close at 31,600.12. This comes as 49 of the listed stocks advanced, while 38 retreated.    

The MSCI Tadawul Index gained 10.75 points, or 0.70 percent, to close at 1,546.53.     

The best-performing stock of the day was Saudi Cable Co., which debuted on the main market on Sunday, with its share price surging 9.85 percent to SR113.80. 

Other top performers included Middle East Specialized Cables Co., with its share price rising 6.43 percent to SR45.50, and Zamil Industrial Investment Co., which saw its share price surge 5.65 percent to SR36.45. 

Saudi Reinsurance Co. recorded the biggest drop, with its share price falling 2.27 percent to SR56.00. 

Almoosa Health Co. saw its stock price decline by 2.60 percent to SR138.20, while Wataniya Insurance Co.'s share price dropped 1.75 percent to SR25.20.  

On the announcements front, Almarai Co. reported its consolidated financial results for the year ended Dec. 31. According to a Tadawul statement, the company posted a net profit of SR2.3 billion in 2024, marking a 12.8 percent increase compared to 2023. This growth was driven by higher revenue, disciplined cost control, and a favorable product mix. 

Despite the positive results, Almarai Co.’s share price ended the session at SR58.50, down 1.72 percent. 

City Cement Co. has signed a natural gas supply agreement with Saudi Aramco under the supervision of the Liquid Fuel Displacement Program. According to a bourse filing, the agreement aligns with efforts by the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to achieve the program's objectives. 

The filing also noted that the shift from liquid fuel to natural gas is expected to reduce emissions from the company’s production processes and enhance operational reliability. The financial impact of the agreement will be disclosed at a later date. 

City Cement Co.’s share price closed the session at SR18.80, up 1.17 percent. 

Saudi Arabian Mining Co., or Ma’aden, has provided an update on the development of its third phosphate fertilizer manufacturing project. According to a Tadawul statement, none of the associated contracts involve related parties, and the financial impact of these contracts remains unclear and will be disclosed once available. 

Ma’aden’s share price closed the session at SR48.60, up 1.66 percent. 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s holdings in US treasuries reached $135.6 billion by the end of November, representing a marginal decline of 2.58 percent compared to October, official data showed. 

The Kingdom’s holdings in US treasuries stood at $139.2 billion in October, while it was $143.9 billion and $142.8 billion in September and August, respectively. 

Data released by the US Treasury Department revealed that Saudi Arabia maintained its 17th place among the largest holders of such financial instruments in November. 

The Kingdom and other nations are investing in these bonds for their safety, diversification benefits, and alignment with their economic relationships with the US.

The latest data also said that Saudi Arabia is the only country in the Gulf Cooperation Council region to secure a place among the top 20 holders of US Treasury securities. 

The Kingdom’s holdings in US treasuries increased by 5.85 percent in November compared to the same month in 2023, according to the report.

Saudi Arabia’s holdings of US Treasuries were distributed among long-term bonds worth $112.3 billion, representing 83 percent of the total.

Short-term bonds amounted to $23.2 billion, accounting for 17 percent. 

The report said Japan was the largest investor in US treasury bonds in November, with holdings totaling $1.09 trillion, representing a decline of 0.91 percent compared to October. 

Japan was followed by China and the UK, with portfolios valued at $768.6 billion and $765.6 billion, respectively. Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands were ranked fourth and fifth on the list, with treasury holdings amounting to $424.5 billion and $397 billion. 

Canada secured the sixth spot with holdings worth $374.4 billion, closely followed by Belgium with portfolios of $361.3 billion. 

Ireland came in eighth with treasury reserves worth $338.1 billion, followed by France and Switzerland, with assets amounting to $332.5 billion and $300.6 billion, respectively.

Taiwan was ranked 11th on the list, with treasury holdings worth $286.9 billion. 

Singapore came in the 12th spot with assets amounting to $257.7 billion, followed by Hong Kong and India, with holdings worth $255.7 billion and $234 billion. 

The UAE held US treasury holdings worth $73.13 billion by the end of November. Kuwait also maintained a steady presence in the US Treasury market, with its holdings standing at $51.2 billion.