The weekly report issued by Tadawul, which monitors ownership and trading value in the Saudi stock market, revealed a significant positive shift in foreign investment flows. Qualified foreign investors recorded net purchases in the main market amounting to approximately SAR 1.45 billion during the week ending January 15, 2026. These figures reflect the continued attractiveness of the Saudi financial market to international capital.
According to the detailed data in the report, qualified foreign investors accounted for a significant share of market activity, with their purchases representing 39.82% of total purchases executed during the week, compared to 34.11% of total sales, indicating a strong buying trend and strategic positioning in Saudi stocks.
Saudi investors' sales activity
Conversely, the report revealed a selling trend among local investors during the same period, with total sales by Saudi individuals reaching approximately SAR 1.28 billion. The breakdown of net sales is as follows:
- Individual investors: Net sales of approximately 454.14 million riyals.
- Large individual investors: Net sales of approximately 446.4 million riyals.
- Specialized investors: Net sales of approximately 390.95 million riyals.
- Investment funds: Net sales of approximately 364.3 million riyals.
Economic context and the attractiveness of the Saudi market
These strong foreign capital inflows come in the context of the structural transformations the Saudi financial market has undergone in recent years. Since opening the market to Qualified Foreign Investors (QFI) in 2015 and subsequently easing investment restrictions, the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and Tadawul have worked to develop the market's infrastructure to meet international standards. These efforts culminated in the inclusion of the Saudi market in global emerging market indices such as MSCI, FTSE Russell, and S&P, making the market a prime destination for both passive and active capital flows.
Strategic importance and impact of Vision 2030
The rise in net foreign purchases is a vital indicator of growing confidence in the Saudi economy and its resilience, particularly in light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which aim to diversify income sources and reduce dependence on oil. Institutional foreign investment contributes to deepening the market, increasing liquidity levels, and improving governance and transparency practices in listed companies.
The continuation of these inflows also reflects the positive outlook of international investors towards the economic reforms and mega-projects launched by the Kingdom, in addition to the strength of the banking and petrochemical sectors, which carry significant weight in the general index. This diversification of the investor base leads to greater market stability and reduces the sharp fluctuations that can result from the dominance of individual investors, thus moving the Saudi market to a more mature and institutionalized stage comparable to developed markets.
