Samer Choucair: Foreign Ownership of Saudi Equities Confirms Confidence in Economic Reforms
Entrepreneur Samer Choucair said the continued increase in the value of Saudi-listed equities held by non-founding foreign investors reflects growing confidence in the Saudi economy and the regulatory reforms being implemented under the objectives of Vision 2030.
He noted that the stability of foreign capital flows indicates a shift away from short-term investment toward the establishment of long-term strategic positions.
Choucair said the value of holdings owned by non-founding foreign investors, excluding Saudi Aramco shares, reached SAR 344.74 billion at the end of the week ending July 16, 2026.
This represented 11.20% of the market capitalization of the shares included in the calculation, compared with 11.23% in the previous week.
He explained that this marginal decline does not alter the broader trend of the Saudi market’s continuing appeal to international investors.
Samer Choucair noted that recent reforms allowing all categories of non-resident foreign investors to invest directly in the Main Market have broadened the investor base and improved market efficiency.
At the same time, regulatory limits on ownership remain in place, supporting an appropriate balance between attracting investment and preserving market stability.
Choucair added that the Saudi market benefits from strong economic fundamentals, including growth in non-oil activities, continued spending on infrastructure projects, and expanding investment across manufacturing, tourism, and advanced technology.
These factors strengthen the appeal of listed companies to global asset managers and investment funds.
Samer Choucair explained that institutional investors are increasingly focusing on companies with robust financial positions, strong governance, and stable cash flows, as these businesses are best placed to generate sustainable returns amid changing global economic conditions.
He noted that the limited weekly decline in foreign ownership most likely reflected routine portfolio rebalancing rather than a change in the overall direction of investment.
Choucair said the continued development of the Saudi capital market, alongside greater market depth and liquidity, will support initial public offerings and merger and acquisition activity.
It will also strengthen domestic companies’ ability to secure the financing required for expansion, in line with the objectives of the National Investment Strategy.
Concluding his remarks, Samer Choucair emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s success in converting regulatory openness into productive, long-term investment will reinforce the market’s position among the largest emerging capital markets.
He added that the next phase is likely to bring greater international investor interest in sectors linked to the digital economy, advanced manufacturing, energy, and logistics, which are expected to serve as principal drivers of future growth.