Dubai
The Saudi index breached past the keenly watched 8,000 mark and hit its highest level in a year as traders piled in money betting on stocks ahead of the potential inclusion on the MSCI emerging market index.
The Tadawul index hit the highest level in 52 weeks at 8,100.60, before closing 0.59 per cent higher to 8,098.04. The index has gained more than 12 per cent so far in the year. In contrast, the Dubai index has shed 7 per cent since January.
“Saudi is taking a lot of liquidity at the expense of other markets. The danger is that there would be a round of profit-taking as you push up prices increasing valuations. Overtime, people will think that there may be no need to be so active in Saudi stocks as the implementation will be a year away, so they will take profits,” said Sanyalaksna Manibhandu, head of research, First Abu Dhabi Bank Securities.
The MSCI is widely expected to include the Tadawul index in June, a move that is expected to attract tens of billions of dollars of passive money into the kingdom.
Sluggishness
However, stock indices in Dubai and neighbouring Abu Dhabi fell on Tuesday, extending losses for another sessions, continuing its sluggishness for another amid lower volumes.
The Dubai Financial Market General index closed 0.29 per cent lower to 3,131.33. Traded value continued to remain on the lower side.
“Traded value has slumped in Dubai. We have big results from Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) and Emirates NBD. If the management gives a positive outlook, Dubai will try to recover some lost ground. In the medium term, money will be coming back to Dubai from Saudi as people re-assess,” Manibhandu said.
Emaar Properties stayed sideways. Emaar Properties closed 0.51 per cent lower to Dh5.85, and DIB closed 0.71 per cent higher to Dh5.65. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange general index closed 0.52 per cent higher to 4,706.76.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, the Qatar exchange index closed flat at 8,958.00.
