Saudi Exchange Stays Gulf's Largest Stock Market

Saudi Arabia's stock market continued to lead the Gulf in September 2026, accounting for roughly 63% of the region's total equity-market capitalization and holding its place as the largest exchange in the region.

The combined market value of Gulf stock markets stood at approximately US$4 trillion during the month. The Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) closed the week ending September 24, 2026 with a market capitalization of about SAR 9.299 trillion, after finishing the previous month at SAR 9.54 trillion at the end of August 2026.

By comparison, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange represented around 18% of Gulf market value, while Dubai Financial Market accounted for about 7%. At the end of August 2026, the Saudi market ranked 13th globally by market capitalization.

Why it matters

The scale of the Saudi market reflects the weight of its largest listed companies. Saudi Aramco alone represented about 65% of the Saudi Exchange's market capitalization as of August 2026, underscoring the influence of the energy sector on overall valuations.

Foreign participation also remains significant, with the value of foreign holdings on the Saudi Exchange reaching SAR 461.52 billion at the end of August 2026. For residents and businesses across Riyadh, Jeddah and beyond, a deep and liquid market signals continued investor confidence and supports the broader goals of economic diversification.

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