Riyadh – Mubasher: The Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) returned to gains on Thursday, on the back of banks and materials stocks.

The Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) rose by 0.32% or 27.24 points and closed the week’s last trading session at the level of 8,459.80 points.

Traded volumes decreased to 168.719 million shares, down from 217.025 million shares yesterday, with traded values amounting to SAR 3.49 billion, compared with SAR 4.28 billion on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, 118 stocks ended the session in green, led by Med Gulf that surged by 9.94%, while Alhokair Group was the top losing stock as it fell by 2.85%.

Economic analyst Saad Al Thaqfaan told Mubasher that the Saudi exchange is showing resilience, supported by improved investors’ sentiment regarding the geopolitical scene and the trade agreement between the US and China, as well as positive market news and cash dividends announcements.

Dar Al Arkan was the most actively traded stock with 14.2 million shares, while Saudi Aramco logged the highest turnover with SAR 329.5 million.

The banks sector rose by 0.40%, while materials added 0.31%, and energy slipped 0.35%.

The main index of the Nomu-Parallel Market also ended the session in gains, adding 0.64% or 45.33 points, and closing at 7,117.62 points.