Riyadh – Mubasher: The Saudi Stock Exchange ended Wednesday’s session in the red to mark its second decline in a row.
The main index shed 0.82% or 51 points to stand at 6,139.38 points.
Turnover reached SAR 2.5 billion ($669 million) compared SAR 2.3 billion ($617 million) in the previous session.
Traded volume retreated to 129.34 million shares compared to 132.45 million shares on Tuesday.
The insurance sector topped the worst performers losing 1.6%, on the back of the Company for Cooperative Insurance’s (Tawuniya) and Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance which fell 3.34% and 1.65% to SAR 86.75 and SAR 120.75, respectively.
The banks sector decreased 1.06%, weighted by all its stocks except Al Rajhi Bank which added 0.17% to SAR 57.50 and Riyad Bank which remained unchanged.
The petrochemical sector shed 0.65%, affected by Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) which was down 1.14% to SAR 84, while Saudi Arabian Fertilisers Company’s (SAFCO) went up 0.31% to SAR 67.
The telecommunication sector achieved the least losses of 0.3%, on the back of Saudi Telecom Company (STC) which fell 0.43% to SAR 57.50, while Zain rose 0.45% to SAR 6.60 and Mobily remained unchanged at SAR 22.40.
The construction sector marginally increased 0.01%, backed by Arabian Pipes Co. which advanced 6%, while Red Sea Housing Services decreased 1.86%.
Saudi British Bank (SABB) topped the losing sectors falling 3.5%to SAR 19.30.
SABIC posted the highest turnover of SAR 535.3 million, while Alinma Bank was the most active in terms of traded volume with 39.3 million shares. The stock shed 0.32% to SAR 12.65.
