* Ahmed Al-Rasheed from Riyadh
Saudi stocks regained 8400 points to close higher than a five-point gain of 0.5 per cent.
The 3% drop in liquidity, which did not reach the 3 billion riyals barrier, did not affect the positive market movements supported by most sectors.
The market stay above 8350-an average of 21 days, as noted in the previous reports, enhances risk appetite and supports the upward trend of the market.
If the market has always maintained these levels with positive results from companies, it will facilitate the breach of the highest peak in three years and stability will be above the resistance 8460 points, which will give an incentive to reach 8620 points.
Overall market performance
The general index opened at 8362 points, trading between high and low.
The lowest point was at 8357 points with slight losses, while the highest point was at 8408 points, winning 0.56%.
At the end of the session, 8405 points closed at 421 points, down 0.51%.
Liquidity declined 3 percent by about 89 billion riyals to reach 2.6 billion riyals and the average value of the deal was 32,000 riyals.
Traded shares rose 3 per cent by about 2.3 million shares to reach 109 million shares.
Deals rose 2 per cent by about 1.3 thousand to reach 82 thousand deals.
Sector performance
Three sectors retreated against the rise of the rest, and the stability of "public utilities".
The rise was led by "Media" of 4.2%, followed by "food segmentation" of 3.5% and "investment and finance" of 2.7%.
The decline was led by "medicines" of 0.3%, "insurance" of 0.15% and "transportation" of 0.05%.
The highest turnovers were "Basic Materials" by 29% with a value of SR 758 million, followed by "Banks" by 26% with a value of SR 694 million and "Real Estate Management and Development" by 10% with a value of SR 269 million.
Stock performance
The rise was led by "SIECO" that rose 10 per cent to close at SAR 259, followed by "Al-Akaria" by 9.9 per cent to close at SAR 15.52 and "Kingdom" by 4.6 per cent to close at SAR 9.26.
On the other hand, the decline was led by "Enaya" of 2.4% to close at 26.35 riyals, followed by "Cisco" by 2% to close at 14.06 riyals, and "Saico" by 1.7% to close at 14.94 riyals.
The highest turnovers were "SABIC" by 12 per cent with a value of SAR 425 million, followed by "Alinma" by 10 per cent with a value of 380 million riyals, and then "Dar Al-Arkan" by 5% with a value of 167 million riyals.
* Economic Reports Unit