TASI closes slightly higher; banking sector among gainers: Closing bell

RIYADH: Saudi stocks closed slightly higher on Tuesday, with gains registered by several major companies, including ACWA Power, and AMAK. 

As of the closing bell, the Saudi main index, TASI, closed 0.11 percent higher at 13,180, while the parallel market, Nomu, tumbled .94 percent to reach 24,214.

Shares in ACWA Power Co. rallied almost 10 percent to lead the gainers.

Amana Insurance led the fallers since the opening, falling 5.79 percent more.

Among the gainers, AMAK rose 9.87 percent, while Tadawul Group gained 8.54 percent.

Saudi Aramco’s trading remained intact, with no ups or downs from Monday. 

In the banking sector, Alinma Bank climbed 1.51 percent, while the Kingdom’s largest valued bank, Al Rajhi, edged up .99 percent.

As for Saudi pharma operators,  Nahdi Medical Co. climbed 5.09 percent, while Aldawaa Medical Services Co. rose 4.69 percent.

In the food and beverages sector, Savola Group fell 2.11 percent at the closing. 

Energy prices have continued to rise. Brent crude reached $108.70 a barrel, and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate hit $104.43 a barrel, as of 3:45 p.m. Saudi time.