Tadawul Shares Start Week Lower Amid Failed US-Iran Negotiations

-- The Tadawul All Share Index closed Sunday trading 0.25% lower amid market jitters as the US and Iran walked away from their discussions in Pakistan without coming to an agreement.

The Iranian delegation cited the US' lack of trust in its "forward-looking initiatives" and "excessive demands" as some of the reasons why the talks failed.

"We consider every mirror to be another method of authority diplomacy, alongside military struggle, for upholding the rights of the Iranian nation, and we will not for a moment cease our efforts to consolidate the achievements of the forty days of Iran's national defense," Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said in an X post.

Further to this, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar noted that it is "imperative" that both sides hold up their two-week ceasefire deal, which started on April 8.

Back at home, Ades Holding (SASE:2382) shares closed 1.21% in the green as it secured a one-year extension to its premium jackup rig drilling contract with Chevron Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Al Kuzama Trading (SASE:9636) is poised to take a 25% stake in Unique Food Catering Co. from its owner, Bandar Khalid Abu Saman. The restaurant chain operator will purchase the stake for 35 million Saudi riyals. Shares surged 8.91% at closing.

US Natural Gas Update: Futures Slide Over 2% Amid Strong Storage Figures, Potential US-Iran Talks

US natural gas futures were down by nearly 3% on Friday, amid robust storage figures, and reports of progress being made in the peace negotiations between Iran and the US.The front-month Henry Hub contract and the continuous contract were both down 2.54% at $2.69 per million British thermal units. The benchmark was set to end the week down by 5.32%, according to data from Trading Economics.The move comes following a larger-than-expected injection into storage for the week ended April 17, at 103 billion cubic feet, bringing total storage to 2,063 Bcf, according to the US Energy Information Administration's Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report on Thursday.This was ahead of forecasts, which expected 96 Bcf in injections, and was significantly higher than the prior week at 59 Bcf and the corresponding week a year ago, at 88 Bcf, according to data compiled by Investing.com.US natural gas inventories are now 142 Bcf, or 7% above the year-ago levels, and 137 Bcf, and the same 7% above the five-year average for this time of year, making it a very bearish inventory build-up for the market.According to Pinebrook Energy Advisors, this week's injection was the "largest on record for this early in the season," which they attributed to lower weather-related demand in recent weeks.Weather forecasts have, however, flipped in recent days, with nearly half of the country set to experience below-normal temperatures from May 01 to May 07, according to the National Weather Service.On the geopolitical front, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi is reportedly on his way to Islamabad, Pakistan, with US Logistics and Security teams already in place to prepare for the next round of peace negotiations, according to a Reuters report, citing three Pakistani officials.While neither side has made any announcements so far, this marks a major de-escalation in the conflict, following several days of mounting uncertainties.

US Oil Update: Crude Eases on Peace Talk Hopes, Headed for Weekly Gain

Crude oil benchmarks secured double-digits weekly gains despite prices easing on Friday as the markets assessed intensifying geopolitical risks against renewed diplomatic hope.Brent crude futures eased 0.2% to $104.81 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate oil futures dipped about 1% to $94.95/bbl.In a social media post Thursday, President Donald Trump confirmed a three-week extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.He said that the US will now collaborate directly with the Lebanese government to bolster defenses against Hezbollah.Adding to the diplomatic momentum, a Pakistani government source reportedly revealed that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will arrive in Islamabad Friday night, according to a Reuters report.A small Iranian team plans to engage in a second round of peace talks with US representatives already on the ground, as per the report.However, escalating hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz continue to underpin global prices.Both crude benchmarks were headed for a weekly gains with Brent headed for a more than 15% weekly gain while West Texas Intermediate crude contract added more than 13% so far on a weekly basis."The US-Iran ceasefire and the Israel-Lebanon truce were both extended, but disruptions have sharply reduced Middle East oil and gas shipments, tightening global supply," Saxo Bank analysts said.

Tadawul Shares Start Week Lower Amid Failed US-Iran Negotiations

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International13m ago
April Final University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment 49.8 Vs. Expected 48.5, Preliminary 47.6, March 53.3

Oil & Energy16m ago
US Natural Gas Update: Futures Slide Over 2% Amid Strong Storage Figures, Potential US-Iran Talks
US natural gas futures were down by nearly 3% on Friday, amid robust storage figures, and reports of progress being made in the peace negotiations between Iran and the US.The front-month Henry Hub contract and the continuous contract were both down 2.54% at $2.69 per million British thermal units. The benchmark was set to end the week down by 5.32%, according to data from Trading Economics.The move comes following a larger-than-expected injection into storage for the week ended April 17, at 103 billion cubic feet, bringing total storage to 2,063 Bcf, according to the US Energy Information Administration's Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report on Thursday.This was ahead of forecasts, which expected 96 Bcf in injections, and was significantly higher than the prior week at 59 Bcf and the corresponding week a year ago, at 88 Bcf, according to data compiled by Investing.com.US natural gas inventories are now 142 Bcf, or 7% above the year-ago levels, and 137 Bcf, and the same 7% above the five-year average for this time of year, making it a very bearish inventory build-up for the market.According to Pinebrook Energy Advisors, this week's injection was the "largest on record for this early in the season," which they attributed to lower weather-related demand in recent weeks.Weather forecasts have, however, flipped in recent days, with nearly half of the country set to experience below-normal temperatures from May 01 to May 07, according to the National Weather Service.On the geopolitical front, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi is reportedly on his way to Islamabad, Pakistan, with US Logistics and Security teams already in place to prepare for the next round of peace negotiations, according to a Reuters report, citing three Pakistani officials.While neither side has made any announcements so far, this marks a major de-escalation in the conflict, following several days of mounting uncertainties.

Oil & Energy18m ago
US Oil Update: Crude Eases on Peace Talk Hopes, Headed for Weekly Gain
Crude oil benchmarks secured double-digits weekly gains despite prices easing on Friday as the markets assessed intensifying geopolitical risks against renewed diplomatic hope.Brent crude futures eased 0.2% to $104.81 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate oil futures dipped about 1% to $94.95/bbl.In a social media post Thursday, President Donald Trump confirmed a three-week extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.He said that the US will now collaborate directly with the Lebanese government to bolster defenses against Hezbollah.Adding to the diplomatic momentum, a Pakistani government source reportedly revealed that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will arrive in Islamabad Friday night, according to a Reuters report.A small Iranian team plans to engage in a second round of peace talks with US representatives already on the ground, as per the report.However, escalating hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz continue to underpin global prices.Both crude benchmarks were headed for a weekly gains with Brent headed for a more than 15% weekly gain while West Texas Intermediate crude contract added more than 13% so far on a weekly basis."The US-Iran ceasefire and the Israel-Lebanon truce were both extended, but disruptions have sharply reduced Middle East oil and gas shipments, tightening global supply," Saxo Bank analysts said.