Saudi Investors Boost Buying Amid Gulf Foreign Outflows

Saudi investors stepped up their purchases of local equities during the third quarter of 2026, buying a net SAR 5.6 billion, even as Gulf markets recorded their largest quarterly foreign sell-off since 2019.

The buying marked a clear shift from the previous quarter, when Saudi investors were net sellers by SAR 5.8 billion. Institutions drove most of the Q3 activity, accounting for SAR 5.9 billion of the net purchases.

Across the wider region, foreign investors recorded net outflows from Gulf equities of USD 2.3 billion in the third quarter — the heaviest quarterly outflow in several years. Still, foreign investors remained net buyers of Saudi shares over the first nine months of 2026, with purchases totaling SAR 6.7 billion.

Easier access for foreign investors

Since 1 February 2026, foreign investors have been able to directly access Main Market shares through licensed Saudi intermediaries, without registering under the Qualified Foreign Investor framework or meeting a minimum assets-under-management requirement. Foreign ownership limits remain at 10% for an individual foreign investor and 49% in aggregate for any listed company.

What it means for residents

For Saudi residents, investing in the local market requires a trading account with a CMA-licensed broker, along with identity verification, KYC checks, account approval, and funding. Typical equity transaction costs run roughly 0.12% to 0.18% of trade value, depending on the broker and account.

Reported statutory components include a CMA levy of 0.030%, an exchange fee of 0.009%, a settlement fee of 0.005%, a safekeeping fee of 0.001%, and a clearing fee of 0.005% of transaction value. Separate market-membership fees of SAR 60,000 once and SAR 30,000 annually apply to exchange members, not to individual investor accounts.

Ordinary equity trades are placed through a licensed broker and trading account — not through government service channels. The rebound in domestic buying signals continued local confidence in the Saudi market even as foreign flows across the Gulf turned negative.

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