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Tadawul Shares End Wednesday Higher on US-Iran Deal Optimism

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The Tadawul All Share Index closed trading 0.27% in the green as optimism regarding the potential end of the US-Iran conflict boosted investor sentiment on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump signaled that the country and Iran were having "very good discussions" regarding the end of their conflict, as well as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported, citing sources, that the two countries are reportedly set to conclude talks for an interim agreement for the operations of the strait.

"Qatar said that a draft proposal had been circulated between the parties, whilst Treasury Secretary Bessent suggested that an agreement to reopen shipping flows could be reached 'today or tomorrow'. Axios then reported last night that the US is hoping for a Wednesday announcement of an interim deal that would see a temporary 60-day arrangement between Iran and Oman under which Gulf-bound vessels would pass through Iranian waters, whilst vessels leaving the Gulf would be able to travel through Omani waters with no fees being charged during the 60-day period," Deutsche Bank Research said in a note.

Back at home, Alamar Foods Co. (SASE:6014) and Lumi Rental Co. (SASE:4262) reported higher net profit and revenue for the first half of 2026. Saudi insurance company Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance (SASE:8120) swung to a profit for the six months ended June 30, while peer Allied Cooperative Insurance Group (SASE:8150) turned to a loss during the reporting period.

Alamar, Gulf Union, and Allied Cooperative Insurance shares rose 2.11%, 2.54%, and 9.95%. Lumi Rental, on the other hand, closed 4.82% in red.

In other news, Dar Al Majdiah Real Estate (SASE:4326) shares ticked up 1.36% as it entered into a 30-month deal to act as the master developer of a residential real estate project in Makkah.

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Update: Technology Helps Push US Equity Indexes Higher Amid Earnings, Iran Deal Optimism

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Exchange-Traded Funds Rise as US Equities Advance After Midday

Broad Market IndicatorsBroad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV were higher. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) added 3%.US equity indexes rose as earnings helped boost technology while a slide in crude oil and government bond yields reflected confidence that Iran is nearing a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz.EnergyIShares US Energy ETF (IYE) and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) each lost 0.2%.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) gained 4.9%; iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) rose 3.9%, and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) added 4.1%.The State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) was up 6.2%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) jumped 6.8%.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) rose 1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) advanced 3%, and its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), declined 2.9%.CommoditiesCrude oil declined 5.2%, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) fell 4.9%. Natural gas shed 3.7%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) eased 3.5%.Gold on Comex added 1.4%, and the State Street SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) rose 1.2%. Silver gained 3.8%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was up 3.3%.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) rose fractionally. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) slipped less than 0.1%, and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) rose 0.1%.The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) rose fractionally. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) dipped 0.2%, and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) gained 1.2%.HealthcareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) declined 0.1%, iShares US Healthcare (IYH) fell fractionally, and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) added 0.1%. IShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was up 1.6%.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) rose 1.6%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) were also higher.CryptocurrencyIn midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) added 0.1%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) rose 0.4%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) was down 0.2%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 1.4% higher.

Dow Jones^EEM^EXI^FAS^FAZ^GLD^IBB^IGM^IGV^IPK^IVV^IWMNasdaq Composite^IYE^IYH^IYJ^IYK^IYW^PMR^QQQ^RTH^SOXXS&P 500^SPY^UNG^USO^VDC^VHT^VIS^XLE^XLF^XLI^XLK^XLP^XLV^XRT^XSD$BETH$BITO$EETH