Saudi Arabian Equity Market Report January – 2006: Index Year To Date Records 12.54% Growth - Over SR 630 Billion Traded In January

The index for January 2006 closed at 18807.59 points compared with 15616.65 for December 2005 with an increase of 12.54%. It reached its highest historical point as it hit 18807.59 by 31/1/2006 setting its new benchmark. Year to-date, the index increased by 12.54%.

Market capitalization by the end of January 2006 closed up at SR 2.75 trillion (US$ 733.3 billion) increasing by 13% compared with market capitalization for December 2005.

The total value of shares traded in January 2006 reached SR 631 billion (US$ 168.2 billion) compared with SR 635.5 billion from December of 2005 decreasing by 1 %.

Total number of shares traded in January, 2006 was 1.15 billion shares compared with 1.41 billion shares traded in December 2005, decreasing by 18%.

Total transactions in January, 2006 has reached 6.59 million transactions compared with 6.98 million transactions for December 2005, decreasing by 5%.

The number of trading days during this month were 21 days compared with 26 days for the previous month That was due to Eid holiday.

New Listing

• In January 2006, Aldrees Petroleum &Transport Services com. started trading with a paid up capital of SR 200 million with 4 million shares. The company offered 1.2 million shares at SR 185 per share effective January 21, 2006.

Corporate Actions

• Bishah Agriculture Co. Reduced the par value of its stock on 21 January 2006 from SAR 100 to SAR 50 resulting in an increase of issued shares from 5 millions to 10 millions.
• Saudi Cable Co . increased its paid up capital buy issuing 2.4 million shares at SR 50 per share effective 22/1/2006 reaching total shares of 15.2 million.