Finance Tadawul 2023 profit falls as trading values drop 22% By Pramod Kumar March 11, 2024, 4:16 AM Reuters/Faisal Al Nasser The CMA's Mohammed El Kuwaiz, left – pictured with Khalid Al Hussan, Tadawul CEO – says IPO applications are up 30% Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Company, the operator of the Saudi stock exchange (Tadawul), posted a decline in 2023 profits as trading value dropped sharply. Net profit for the full year fell 8 percent year on year to SAR390 million ($104 million). Revenue fell 1.6 percent year on year to just over SAR1 billion due to a decline in trading and post-trade revenues, as trading values fell 22 percent year on year. Saudi stock exchange to hold Hong Kong forum in May Saudi reforms needed to attract investment and lower deficit Saudi Arabia and UAE to dominate Mena IPOs in 2024 Expenses rose to SAR744 million, up 16 percent year on year in 2023, compared to SAR 644 million, due to a rise in workforce costs, including increased headcount and systems maintenance costs. Market capitalisation reached SAR 11.3 trillion at the end of 2023. Tadawul has 310 listed companies on the main market, Nomu-Parallel Market and Reits. The company’s board of directors also recommended a 23 percent cash dividend for 2023, amounting to SAR 276 million. Last month, the kingdom’s market regulator, Capital Market Authority, said it had received 56 initial public offering applications, a number well ahead of analysts’ expectations. CMA chief Mohammed El Kuwaiz told a capital markets forum in Riyadh on February 19 that the applications were a 30 percent increase on last year, covering the main Saudi stock market and the parallel market Nomu. In January, Saudi Tadawul Group purchased a 32.6 percent stake in Dubai Mercantile Exchange’s parent company for SAR107 million. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later