Business
ZAWYA-NEWS: Saudi stock index outperforms GCC peers in January on strong results
ZAWYA-NEWS: Saudi stock index outperforms GCC peers in January on strong results
About this update from Al Rajhi Bank
First published: 04-Feb-2026 08:58:35Staff WriterSaudi Arabia’s equity index rose 8.5% in January, supported by robust corporate earnings and growing investor confidence, Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) said in a report.Strong earnings results from major blue-chip stocks and the announcement of market access for all foreign investors boosted investor optimism, propelling growth in its stock market, the report said.Saudi National Bank surged by 18.4% in January after posting a 18% year-on-year (YoY) rise in its net income for 2025. Al Rajhi Bank gained 9.9% after reporting a 25.7% YoY increase in its net income for last year. Mining major Maaden gained 26.8% following 7.8 million ounces of gold discovery across four key sites.The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) rose 7.9% last month, extending the strong momentum from 2025.Dubai equity index increased by 6.4%, supported by 6.8% monthly gain in bellwether Emaar Properties. The Abu Dhabi index rose 2.9%, supported by blue-chip stocks. First Abu Dhabi Bank gained 6.7% after its 2025 net profit rose 24% YoY.However, Kuwait’s equity market fell 3.8% in January amid profit-booking after a strong 2025 performance.Global markets remained positive in January, supported by continued inflows and high investor demand for safe-haven assets such as gold. MSCI World and S&P 500 rose by 2.2% and 1.4%, respectively. The Nasdaq Composite index gained by 1.2%, while Emerging Markets, as measured by the MSCI EM Index, gained 8.8% during the month, supported by Chinese equities, the report said.(Editing by Seban Scaria [email protected])Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Read our full disclaimer policy here.