Broad Sell-Off Pressures Tadawul; Risk-Liquidity Gap Widens as Aramco Helps Limit Losses

Riyadh | EcoPulse24
The Saudi stock market ended the session on March 1, 2026, with a negative performance as selling pressure spread across most sectors and stocks. Liquidity was relatively high, but investors favored reducing risk over building new positions. The TASI index closed at 10,475.55 points, down 233.49 points (2.18%) from its previous close. Trading ranged widely, from an opening at 10,195.24 to a high of 10,594.70 and a low of 10,193.83.

Main market turnover reached SAR 5.37 billion with 257 million shares traded in 437,473 transactions across 268 companies. Decliners far outnumbered gainers (252 vs. 15), indicating a broad-based sell-off. The MT30 index, reflecting blue-chip performance, fell 2.20% to 1,418.70 points, with defensive and energy-linked stocks providing some support. By contrast, the Nomu parallel market was more resilient, dropping only 0.86% to 22,598.02 points, with selective liquidity amid a risk-averse mood.

The sukuk and bonds market remained stable, with the sukuk index up 0.21% to 924.46 points and SAR 77.76 million traded. This defensive trend suggests portfolio managers shifted to less volatile instruments under equity market pressure.

Among blue chips, Aramco notably helped limit the overall decline, alongside gains for Almarai and Al Rajhi Takaful. Top decliners included SRMG, Elm, Electrical Industries, Construction Station, and Walaa, showing that selling was not confined to a single sector.

Top Gainers: Almarai (+4.11%), Aramco (+3.37%), Al Rajhi Takaful (+3.36%), Nafudh (+2.41%), Nice One (+2.16%).
Top Losers: SRMG (-9.59%), Elm (-9.05%), Electrical Industries (-8.01%), Construction Station (-7.64%), Walaa (-7.53%).
Top by Volume: Americana, Aramco, Alinma, Batik, SABIC.
Top by Value: Aramco, Al Rajhi, NCB, Elm, Alinma.

EcoPulse24 Analysis:
The price action suggests the Saudi market is undergoing risk repricing rather than simple profit-taking, evidenced by the breadth of declines and intraday volatility. Liquidity is concentrating in heavyweight stocks, heightening index sensitivity to shifts in sentiment. While Aramco's stability helps ease the index drop, it does not negate the broader pressure across the market.