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Tadawul Shares End Week Lower; Saudi Arabia's July Construction Activity Ticks Down

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Saudi equities closed the first trading week of August lower as investors tuned into the latest updates on the US-Iran conflict, as well as Saudi's latest economic release.

At the close of Thursday trading, the Tadawul All Share Index closed 0.70% in the red. Out of the listed stocks, 63 closed higher, while 196 closed lower.

In international news, Iran reportedly sent out warnings to Gulf region states regarding potential attacks if the US launched new attacks on the country, Reuters reported, citing sources.

Further to this, Iran said that its proposed agreement with Oman regarding the operations of the Strait of Hormuz was progressing. Sources said that the agreement will reportedly give Iran control over ships that enter the Strait of Hormuz.

Back at home, the seasonally adjusted alrajhi capital Saudi Construction Index declined to 55.2 in July from 56.3 in the prior month. The report from Alrajhi Capital and S&P Global showed that the month logged the country's fastest new order growth since February.

"The alrajhi capital Saudi Construction Index signalled another strong month for the Saudi construction sector in July, with business activity expanding for a third consecutive month. The improvement was supported by stronger new order growth, reflecting continued demand across the sector and the reactivation of previously delayed projects. While input costs continued to rise, cost pressures eased during the month," Alrajhi Capital Research Head Sultan Altowaim commented.

On the corporate front, Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (SASE:2222), d/b/a Saudi Aramco's, shares ticked down 0.90% as it lowered certain main crude oil prices for North American, North West European, and Mediterranean buyers in September.

Meanwhile, Saudi Steel Pipe Co. (SASE:1320) and Riyadh Cement Co. (SASE:3092) reported lower net profit and revenue in the first half of 2026. Saudi Steel closed 2.86% lower, while Riyadh Cement shares were 1.72% higher.

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Update: US Equity Indexes Mixed as Mega-Cap Communication Services, Tech Names Weigh, Strait of Hormuz Safe Route Emerges

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Update: US Equity Indexes Mixed as SpaceX Hits Nasdaq, Deal Reportedly Reached on Proposed Hormuz Route

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Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$AMD$NVDA$SPCX
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Exchange-Traded Funds, US Equities Mixed After Midday

Broad Market IndicatorsBroad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV were mixed after midday Wednesday, with the latter up 0.1%. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) lost 0.4%.US equity indexes traded mixed amid a sharp sell-off in communication services and reports that Iran and Oman have agreed on a proposed shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.EnergyIShares US Energy ETF (IYE) and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) each lost 1.8%.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) gained 0.1%; iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) dropped 0.3% each.The State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) was down 2.3%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) fell 1.1%.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) rose 0.2%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) advanced 0.6%, and its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), declined 0.7%.CommoditiesCrude oil declined 1.3%, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) fell 1.2%. Natural gas gained 0.3%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) increased 0.3%.Gold on Comex added 3.6%, and the State Street SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) rose 4%. Silver gained 3.5%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was up 4.3%.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) declined 0.1%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) slipped 0.3%, and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) shed 0.2%.The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) rose 0.2%. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) dipped 0.2%, and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) declined 0.6%.HealthcareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) and iShares US Healthcare (IYH) gained 1% each, while Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) added 0.8%. IShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was up 0.8%.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) rose 0.2%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was up 0.1% and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) was 0.2% higher.CryptocurrencyIn midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) added 0.8%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) rose 0.6%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) was up 0.7%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was fractionally higher.

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