The total value of shares traded at Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) during the first half of the year fell 39 per cent to SR760.81 billion ($202.8 billion) when compared to the same period last year.

Announcing the H1 results, the Saudi Stock Exchange said at the end of the first half, the Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) closed at 7,496.57, gaining 786.66 points (11.72 per cent) over the same period in 2012.

The total number of shares traded too dropped 48.67 per cent from 56.37 billion shares last year to 28.93 billion shares.

The total number of transactions executed during the first half  reached 17.66 million, down 31.80 per cent compared to 25.89 million transactions last year.

On an year-to-date basis TASI registered a positive increase of 10.22 per cent with 695.35 points, the bourse said in a statement.

The highest close level for the index during the period was 7,645.65 points as on June 8.

According to Tadawul, the total equity market capitalization at the end of the first half surged 11.9 per cent to hit SR1,497.11 billion ($399.23 billion) over the same period last year.-Trade Arabia News Service