Saudi Arabia’s financial markets are entering their final two trading days of the week before closing for the Eid Al-Fitr 1447H holiday, with the Tadawul exchange confirmed to suspend all trading activity from Tuesday March 17 through Monday March 23 — a seven-day Eid break that coincides with several key corporate calendar events, including Saudi Aramco’s dividend eligibility date.
Seven-Day Trading Suspension Begins Tuesday
The Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) will observe a full market closure in line with the Eid Al-Fitr public holiday, as confirmed in the exchange’s official corporate calendar. With the holiday window running from March 17 to March 23, Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16 represent the only two trading sessions before the break begins. The closure applies across all listed securities on the main market and the Nomu parallel market, as well as derivatives and sukuk trading.
For investors holding positions in Saudi-listed companies, the Eid break creates a natural pause in settlement activity. The Saudi Central Clearing Company (MUQASSA) and the Securities Depository Centre Company (Edaa) operate within the same holiday schedule, meaning all clearing and settlement functions will also be suspended during the closure period.
Saudi Aramco Dividend Record Date Falls on Monday
Monday March 16 carries additional significance for investors as it marks the dividend eligibility date — commonly referred to as the ex-dividend date — for Saudi Aramco (2222). Investors who hold shares in the energy giant at the close of trading on March 16 will be eligible to receive the company’s forthcoming cash dividend payment, scheduled for distribution on March 31. Saudi Aramco reported full-year 2025 net profit of SAR 348.04 billion, and its dividend policy has been a key feature of its shareholder value proposition since its listing on Tadawul in 2019.
Other companies observing corporate events around the Eid window include Jamjoom Pharma and GASCO, both of which are distributing cash dividends on March 15, and EIC, whose eligibility date also falls on March 15. The SACO retail chain’s ex-dividend date is set for March 16.
Trading Resumption and Market Context
Tadawul trading is expected to resume on Tuesday March 24 following the Eid closure. The Saudi All Share Index (TASI) has been trading in positive territory for the year to date, reflecting ongoing investor interest in the Kingdom’s diversified economic growth story under Vision 2030. The Eid period traditionally sees reduced pre-holiday trading activity in the final sessions as market participants adjust their positions ahead of the extended closure.
The Saudi financial sector, which includes the Kingdom’s twelve listed banks, fund management companies, and insurance operators, will observe standard banking and operational closures in line with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) Eid holiday guidance. Banking services resume on March 24 for most institutions, though some digital and ATM services remain available throughout the holiday period.
