Most Important News

1. Trump: 25% Tariff on Re-Exported Semiconductors
2. Saudi Ceramic Evaluates Cost Impact
3. RILY Surges 40% After-Hours

On Wednesday, the Tadawul All Shares Index(TASI.SA) increased by 0.47%, closing higher for the sixth consecutive day; the Parallel Market Capped Index (NomuC)(NOMUC.SA) down by 0.49%.

US stocks fell on Wednesday for a second session, pulling back further from record levels, as traders digested a fresh batch of earnings and monitored geopolitical developments.

The S&P 500 index(SPX.US) dropped 0.53% and closed at 6,926.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average(DJI.US) lost 42.36 points, or 0.09%, and ended at 49,149.63. The NASDAQ(IXIC.US) shed 1%, settling at 23,471.75. It was the second consecutive day of losses for all three indexes.

Tech bogged down the broader market. Chip stocks in particular suffered losses, as Broadcom Limited(AVGO.US) fell 4% and NVIDIA Corporation(NVDA.US) and Micron Technology, Inc.(MU.US) slid more than 1% each. On Wednesday, Reuters, citing people briefed on the matter, reported that Chinese customs authorities have advised customs agents that Nvidia’s H200 chips are not permitted to enter the country.

PIF Inks Yanbu Aluminum Complex Deal

The Public Investment Fund signed preliminary terms on January 14 with Red Sea Aluminium Holdings to develop an integrated aluminum complex in Yanbu. Leveraging advanced smelting technologies, the project establishes a major continuous casting plant to supply high-value products for automotive and utility sectors.

Trump: 25% Tariff on Re-Exported Semiconductors

US President Trump announced that imported chips not used for domestic AI will face 25% tariffs following a trade investigation. The levies target semiconductors transiting through the US for data center servers before re-export to other countries. Trump projected billions in revenue from the tariffs, though he did not mention potential exemptions for companies increasing US investments, which he had previously indicated in 2025.

KSA Stocks

Saudi Ceramic Evaluates Cost Impact

Saudi Ceramic Co.(2040.SA) received notice on January 13, 2026, from Natural Gas Distribution Company regarding service charge rate adjustments for natural gas used in operations, effective January 1, 2026. The company expects the rate change to impact production costs starting in Q1 2026 results, with the financial impact currently under assessment. Saudi Ceramics stated it will announce the calculated impact upon completion and remains committed to cost reduction and operational efficiency initiatives.

Riyadh Cables Finalizes Syrian Operations Deal

Riyadh Cables Group Co.(4142.SA) announced on January 15, 2026, that its subsidiary Riyadh Cables Company has executed a management and operations agreement with the Syrian Sovereign Fund to operate and develop Syrian Modern Cables Company. This follows the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding signed on November 3, 2025, marking the transition from preliminary discussions to formal operational control of the Syrian cable manufacturer.

Red Sea Extends SNB Facilities

Red Sea International Co.(4230.SA)'s subsidiary, The Fundamental Installation for Electric Work Co., extended its financial facilities agreement with The Saudi National Bank(1180.SA) for one year on January 14, 2026. The facility was reduced to SAR 200M from SAR 280M in the November 2024 agreement. The financing, backed by corporate guarantees from Red Sea International (SAR 102M) and MSB Holding (SAR 68.6M), will support advance payment bonds, performance bonds, and letter of credit facilities for the MEP contractor's operations.

USA Stocks

CRML Skyrockets 32% on Supply Security

US President Trump signed an executive order on critical minerals to secure national rare earth supply, triggering a sector-wide rally. Critical Metals Corp.(CRML.US) surged 32.58% to $17.93, USA Rare Earth, Inc. Class A(USAR.US) gained 9.66% to $18.28, and MP Materials Corp Class A(MP.US) rose over 8%. 

Space and drone stocks also advanced, with Rocket Lab(RKLB.US) climbing over 6% and EchoStar Corporation Class A(SATS.US) rising nearly 6%, both reaching all-time highs.

RILY Surges 40% After-Hours

BRC Group Holdings, Inc.(RILY.US) surged over 40% in after-hours trading on January 15, 2026, after reporting a third-quarter profit turnaround with revenue growth, reversing previous quarterly losses. 

Datavault AI Inc.(DVLT.US) climbed over 9% after-hours following the announcement of its patented AI rating technology and a partnership with Fintech.TV to launch globally during the pilot season.

Google Unveils Gemini Personal Intelligence

Alphabet Inc. Class C(GOOG.US) launched Gemini Personal Intelligence on January 14, 2026, enabling its AI assistant to proactively access user data across Gmail, Search, Photos, and YouTube for enhanced personalization. The company's vast consumer data repository provides a significant competitive advantage over rivals like OpenAI's ChatGPT, which recently added memory features for chat conversations. Google's stock surged over 6% to a record high since positive market reception of the Gemini 3 model.