Saudi capital market hits record $266.6bn in AUM amid fund growth

21/05/2025 01:49 AST

Saudi Arabia's capital market saw its total assets under management value crossing SR1 trillion ($266.6 billion) in 2024, a 20.9 percent increase from the previous year, a new report showed.

According to the Capital Market Authority's annual report, this growth was accompanied by a 47 percent surge in the number of subscribers in public and private funds, which rose to over 1.72 million by year-end. The total number of investment funds reached 1,549, continuing the upward trajectory of capital market activity.

This comes as the CMA continues market reforms aimed at improving liquidity, expanding investor access, and strengthening overall performance - part of broader efforts to support Vision 2030 and increase the market's contribution to the economy.

In a press release, the CMA stated: "The year 2024 also witnessed growth in public offerings and equity registrations, with the CMA approving 60 applications, an increase of 36.4 percent compared to 2023."

These included 40 applications in the parallel market and 16 in the main market.

The number of subscribers in public and private funds exceeded 1.72 million, an annual increase of 47 percent. File/SPA A total of 44 listings were completed during the year, reinforcing the vibrancy of Saudi Arabia's IPO landscape.

Saudi Arabia continued to dominate regional capital markets in the first quarter of 2025, accounting for 12 of the 14 initial public offerings across the Middle East and North Africa, according to EY's latest report released earlier this month.

The Kingdom's listings - five on the Tadawul Main Market and seven on Nomu - contributed to a 106 percent year-on-year increase in regional IPO proceeds, which reached $2.1 billion. EY also noted that Saudi Arabia leads the IPO pipeline, with 17 companies already approved by the CMA.

The sukuk and debt instruments market also recorded significant expansion, with the total value of listed instruments reaching SR663.5 billion last year, up from SR549.8 billion in 2023 - a growth rate of 20.6 percent, CMA's annual report highlighted.

The market regulator attributed this to the largest set of regulatory enhancements since the market's inception, which included easing entry requirements and expanding the pool of qualified investors.

In the release, CMA Chairman Mohammed El-Kuwaiz noted that the authority approved its 2024-2026 strategic plan, aligning with evolving economic developments.

"The plan includes nine objectives distributed across three strategic pillars: the first focuses on activating the capital market's role in financing and investment; the second on empowering the capital market ecosystem; and the third on protecting investor rights," the release added.

The plan was developed through a comprehensive sectoral analysis and consultation with stakeholders, aligned with Vision 2030 objectives.

Arab News