RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s stock market rose in early trading on Sunday with activity focusing on second- and third-tier stocks rather than blue chips. The main Saudi index was up 0.5 per cent in the first hour. Petrochemical and banking blue chips were little changed but major gains were seen in stocks such as conglomerate Jazan Development, which jumped 5.9 per cent after announcing a 0.50 riyal per share dividend for 2016.
Saudi Automotive Services surged its 10 per cent daily limit after saying it would post a special gain of 4.4 million riyals ($1.2 million, Dh4.4 million) for the fourth quarter after selling two of its equities investment portfolios. Nama Chemicals plunged by its 10 per cent daily limit for a second straight day. It resumed trading last week after its shares were suspended for a day because its accumulated losses had reached more than 75 per cent of its capital. The company now plans a capital reduction.
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Oman’s stock index dropped 0.7 per cent as Oman Telecommunications tumbled 4.0 per cent and rival Ooredoo Oman sank 6.7 per cent. On Thursday, the Capital Market Authority said Oman’s telecommunications companies would pay a royalty to the government of 12 per cent of revenues in 2017, up from 7 per cent. Other markets in the Gulf, as well as Cairo’s exchange, were closed for New Year holidays.
