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Tadawul Shares End Monday Subdued; Saudi Arabia's Inflation Ticks Up in May

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The Tadawul All Share Index closed Monday trading muted at 0.08% in the red as investors assessed Saudi Arabia's latest economic releases and the updates on the US-Iran conflict.

Dominating headlines all around the world is the preliminary pact that the US and Iran agreed to sign in Switzerland on Friday. The deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as well as stop "military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon", among other terms.

"Oil prices slumped on Monday, with NYMEX WTI around $80/bbl and Brent tumbling to around $84/bbl, after the US announced an interim deal with Iran and potential resumption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz from Friday, alongside the removal of the US naval blockade on Iranian shipments," ING said. "Still, restarting infrastructure and logistics flows could take time, while some shipping operators may remain cautious about returning to the Strait in the near term. Meanwhile, inventories and strategic stockpiles will need to be rebuilt after recent disruptions, which should keep prices supported even as flows gradually resume."

Back at home, the kingdom's annual inflation rate rose year over year to 1.8% in May from 1.7% in the prior month. On a monthly basis, the index saw a consistent growth of 0.2%.

Saudi Arabia's wholesale prices had a 4.6% growth in May. Meanwhile, the country's producer price index data showed a 9.1% year-over-year rise in April. Month over month, the index saw a 3.3% increase.

On the corporate front, Malath Cooperative Insurance (SASE:8020) shares declined 0.94% at closing as it secured a one-year deal to organize, support, and deliver integrated insurance services for the National Housing Services Co.'s process of issuing work insurance products for latent defects policies.

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Tadawul Shares Start Week Higher on US-Iran Peace Deal Hopes

Saudi Exchange-traded closed Sunday upbeat as the prospects of a US and Iran peace deal pushed the Tadawul All Share Index 0.57% firmly in the green.Investors are patiently waiting for updates regarding the signing of an interim deal that would end the conflict between the US and Iran. US President Donald Trump signaled that the memorandum of understanding would be signed on Sunday.However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the peace framework will be signed "in the coming days." An undisclosed senior Iranian official said that the final draft of its deal reportedly includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, oil sanction waivers, releasing frozen Iranian assets, as well as other nuclear clauses.Looking ahead to the week, the local economic calendar will mostly be empty except for the release of Saudi Arabia's inflation print for May on Monday. Market watchers will also look out for the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision and economic projections on Wednesday."In terms of Wednesday's FOMC meeting, we expect the Fed to leave monetary policy unchanged, but we do expect a statement that puts greater emphasis on the possibility of an interest rate rise," ING said in a note. "In the press conference, he will likely acknowledge that economic conditions do not justify rate cuts at this time. Nonetheless, he could reiterate his view that, in time, tech investment will boost US productivity, meaning faster growth without generating inflation. That would imply a lower neutral interest rate that justifies lower policy rates over the medium to longer term."Back at home and on the corporate front, Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Appliances (SASE:2070), d/b/a Spimaco, shares ticked up 3.58% at closing as it agreed to boost its stake in Arabian Medical Products Manufacturing, or Enayah, to 63% for 45 million Saudi riyals.

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US Stocks Gain This Week on Iran Deal Progress, Softer Rate Expectations

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Exchange-Traded Funds Rise, US Equities Mixed After Midday

Broad Market IndicatorsBroad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV were higher. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) added 0.7%.US equity indexes traded mixed amid conflicting reports on the terms of a draft deal between Iran and Washington to end the war in the Middle East and Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX) making history with its stock market debut.EnergyIShares US Energy ETF (IYE) and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) each rose 1.1%.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) climbed up 1.1%; iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) rose 0.9%, and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 1%.The State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) advanced 2.1%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) was 2.3% higher.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) added 1.1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) climbed up 3.4%, and its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), declined 3.3%.CommoditiesCrude oil shed 3.6%, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) fell 2%. Natural gas rose 1.3%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was up 1.5%.Gold on Comex gained 2.9%, and the State Street SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) rose 0.3%. Silver advanced 6.1%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was up 0.7%.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) rose 0.2%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) added less than 0.1%, and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) was up 0.3%.The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) was fractionally lower. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was 0.3% lower, and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) rose 0.4%.HealthcareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) dipped 0.1%, iShares US Healthcare (IYH) fell 0.1%, and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) rose fractionally. IShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed up 0.5%.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) added 0.8%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) gained 0.7%, while iShares US Industrials (IYJ) rose 0.8%.CryptocurrencyIn midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) was up 0.8%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) rose 0.8%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) fell 0.1%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 0.3% higher.

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