Riyadh – Mubasher: The main index of the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) increased 0.17% or 11.50 points to 6,930.32 points at Wednesday's close.

Traded value decreased to SAR 2.51 billion ($668 million) on Wednesday compared to SAR 2.82 billion ($751 million) on Tuesday.

Traded volume went up to 182.61 million shares, down from 175.57 million shares.

The utilities sector topped the best performers and rose 18%, while the commercial services sector led the worst performers and decreased 1%.

The material and banks sectors added 0.21% and 0.18%, respectively.

Umm Al Qura Cement recorded the highest gains and hiked 5.1%, while Nama Chemicals registered highest losses and dropped 8.5%.

Moreover, the main index (NOMU) of Nomu-Parallel Market added 0.91% or 39.96 points to 4,410.24 points.

Traded volume reached 113,300 shares, while values reached SAR 3.44 million on Wednesday.

Al-Samaani Factory for Metal Industries Co came on top of the gaining stocks and levelled up 5.5% to SAR 86.75, while Development Works Food topped losers and fell 3.4%. 

Abo Moati for Bookstores was the most active in terms of traded value and volume, exchanging 70,680 shares at a value of SAR 943,680.