Non-institutional foreign ownership ex-Aramco rises to 11.3% last week

The ownership of non-institutional foreign investors is represented by swap holders, residents, and qualified foreign investors (QFIs).

Non-institutional foreign investors increased their ownership in Tadawul-listed equities, excluding Saudi Aramco, from 11.24% to 11.30%, or SAR 367.1 billion, in the week ended Feb. 5, market data showed.

During the week, the market has been opened to all categories of foreign investors, enabling them to invest directly. This follows the adoption of amendments eliminating the concept of qualified foreign investors (QFI) in the main market, allowing all categories of foreign investors to enter the market without needing to meet qualification requirements.

The ownership of non-institutional foreign investors is represented by individuals, institutions, swap agreements, and managed portfolios but does not include the strategic stakes of founders.

GCC investors' ownership in Saudi equities, excluding Saudi Aramco, remained unchanged at 2.39% (SAR 77.63 billion) of total market cap.

Foreign investors’ ownership in Saudi equities, including strategic partners and excluding Saudi Aramco, rose from 12.74% to 12.79% (SAR 415.53 billion) of the total.

Meanwhile, institutional foreign investors, excluding Saudi Aramco, accounted for 1.49% (SAR 48.5 billion) of the total foreign ownership in the Saudi market, according to Argaam’s data.