Assets of Saudi public, private investment funds rise 18% to SAR 523.7 bln in 2021

Saudi Arabian banknotes

The total value of assets held by public and private investment funds in Saudi Arabia grew by 18% year-on-year (YoY) to SAR 523.7 billion in 2021, according to a report by the Capital Market Authority (CMA).

The number of investment funds hit a historical record of 751 by the end of the year, including 256 public funds and 495 private funds.

The investment funds include a group of securities that are selected based on specific criteria that achieve the fund's investment objectives. It is divided into public and private funds.

Profit generated by an investment fund is usually capital gains, resulting from any improvement or change in prices of invested securities, in addition to dividends, if any.

The number of subscribers to Saudi investment funds stood at nearly 536,500 in 2021 – its highest level since 2005, up from 364,200 subscribers by the end of 2020.

In terms of investment type, the value of assets held by money markets represented 58% of the total public funds’ assets, with nearly SAR 130.9 billion.

The value of assets held by equity and real estate funds stood at SAR 172.2 billion and SAR 96.03 billion, respectively, accounting for 90% of the total assets of private funds.