Saudi Arabian equities finished lower on Monday, with the Tadawul All Share sliding 0.85% at the close. The session's downward move was driven by weakness in the Media & Publishing, Building & Construction and Energy & Utilities sectors, which pulled the index into negative territory.
Top and bottom performers
The strongest performers on the index were Jarir Marketing Co (TADAWUL:4190), Cherry Trading Company S J S C (TADAWUL:4265) and Astra Industrial Group (TADAWUL:1212). Jarir Marketing led gains with a 3.29% increase - up 0.48 points to close at 15.08. Cherry Trading rose 3.11% or 0.80 points to finish at 26.50, while Astra Industrial Group added 2.64% or 3.80 points to end the day at 147.80.
On the downside, National Medical Care Company (TADAWUL:4005) posted the steepest fall, dropping 4.61% or 6.10 points to close at 126.20. Saudi Cable Company (TADAWUL:2110) declined 4.51% or 7.00 points to 148.20, and Saudi Research and Marketing Group (TADAWUL:4210) was down 4.40% or 3.60 points to 78.20.
Across the exchange, decliners outnumbered advancers by a margin of 271 to 67, with 17 stocks finishing unchanged.
Notable market movements and asset prices
Jarir Marketing (TADAWUL:4190) also reached a 52-week high during the session, advancing 3.29% or 0.48 to 15.08 at the close.
Commodities showed mixed moves: crude oil for June delivery climbed 5.71% - up $4.72 to $87.31 a barrel, while Brent for June settlement rose 5.29% or $4.78 to $95.16 a barrel. Precious metals moved lower, with the June Gold Futures contract down 1.09% or $53.31 to trade at $4,826.29 a troy ounce.
Currency pairs involving the Saudi riyal were essentially flat. EUR/SAR was unchanged at 4.41, and USD/SAR moved 0.01% to 3.75. The US Dollar Index Futures ticked higher by 0.17% to 98.06.
Market context
The session reflected broad selling pressure across several industries, most prominently media, construction and energy-related utilities. While a handful of names posted gains and one reached an annual high, overall market breadth favored declines, leaving the Tadawul All Share lower at the close.