10 things to watch on Tadawul today

Here are a few things you need to know as Saudi stocks start trading on Wednesday.

1) The second phase of Saudi Arabia's inclusion in FTSE Russell Emerging Market Index begins today, May 1 based on closing prices on April 30, with an inclusion factor of 15 percent.

2) Bupa Arabia For Cooperative Insurance Co.’s board of directors has recommended a 15 percent cash dividend for the fiscal year 2018, at SAR 1.5 per share, amounting to SAR 180 million.

3) Shareholders of Saudi Airlines Catering Co. have approved a 55.5 percent cash dividend, or SAR 5.55 per share, for fiscal year of 2018.

4) The Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) has placed a trading halt on shares of Abdullah A.M. Al-Khodari Sons Company until the company discloses its fiscal financial statements.

5) Saudi Cement Co. reported a net profit after zakat and tax of SAR 132.4 million for the first quarter of 2019, a 6.89 percent year-on-year (YoY) drop on higher selling and distribution expenses, increased general and administrative expenses (G&As) and a rise in cost of financing.

6) Yanbu Cement Co. reported a net profit after zakat and tax of SAR 72.85 million for the first quarter of 2019, an 81.2 percent year-on-year (YoY) jump on higher average selling prices, higher clinker exports and lower average cost.

7) Eastern Province Cement Co. reported a net profit of SAR 46 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to a net profit of SAR 17 million for the same period last year, on higher sales value and volume due to improvement in local demand.

8) Mouwasat Medical Services Co.'s net profit after zakat and tax edged up 1.1 percent year-on-year (YoY) to SAR 107.2 million in Q1 2019 due to higher revenue from expansion in sub-specialty clinics and launch of specialized departments.

9) Al-Etihad Cooperative Insurance Co. on Monday received approval from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) to raise capital by SAR 125 million to SAR 400 million.

10) Brent crude on Wednesday gained 76 cents to reach $72.80/bbl, while WTI crude declined 56 cents to $63.35/bbl.