Riyadh – Mubasher: The Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) closed Tuesday in the red after its benchmark Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) tumbled 0.18%, or 13.01 points, to 7,412.56 points.

TASI’s trading volume stood at 151 million shares on Tuesday, against SAR 147.08 million on Monday, while liquidity rose to SAR 3.2 billion ($853.6 million), from SAR 3.09 billion ($825 million).

The insurance sector fell 1.38%, followed by materials with 0.38%, and banks with 0.22%.

On the other hand, the food and staples retailing sector increased 3.57%, while consumer services went up 1.76%.

Malath Insurance’s stock tumbled 4.48% to SAR 18.32, whereas Middle East Paper Co.’s (MEPCO) stock grew 6.87% to SAR 23.50.

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development’s stock was the most active in terms of traded volume after 26.4 million shares were exchanged, while Al Inma Bank’s stock topped TASI in terms of liquidity, generating SAR 441.47 million.

In the meantime, the main index of the Nomu-Parallel Market, NOMU, surged 3.01%, or 90.05 points, to close at 3,083.71 points, registering its highest level since 7 January.

Al-Samaani Factory for Metal Industries’ stock jumped 16.27% to SAR 77.90, whereas Arab Sea Information System’s stock declined 2.68% to SAR 12.34.