Riyadh – Mubasher: The Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) ended Tuesday's session on a positive note, to achieve its third hike in a row, backed by the banks and petrochemical sectors.

The main index rose 1.48% or 85.6 points to stand at 5,882.44 points.

The banks sector topped the best performers increasing 2.78%, backed by Al Rajhi Bank and the National Commercial Bank (NCB) which added 1.83% to SAR 55 and 4.92% to SAR 38.40, respectively.

The petrochemical sector advanced 1.14%, supported by SABIC and SAFCO which gained 1.3% to SAR 85.25 and 0.19% to SAR 62.50, respectively.

On the other hand, the multi-investment sector led the losers shedding 0.46%, on the back of the Kingdom Holding Company which decreased 1.4% to SAR 10.65.

Traded values retreated to SAR 3.1 billion ($828.5 million) on Tuesday, compared to SAR 3.65 billion ($974 million) on Monday.

Traded volume also fell to 203.2 million shares from 269.76 million shares yesterday.

Amana Cooperative Insurance topped the gaining stocks advancing 9.93% to SAR 7.75, followed by Saudi Transport and Investment (Mubarrad) which increased 8.77% to SAR 46.

On the other hand, Halwani Bros Co led the worst performers falling 3.3% to SAR 50.75, followed by Al Yamamah Steel Industries Co. which lost 2.4% to SAR 23.95.

Alinma Bank was the most active in terms of traded volume and value with 20.4 million shares exchanged at SAR 267.2 million. The stock added 2.02% to SAR 13.15.