Most Important News

1. U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Expires, Hormuz Strait Tensions Rise;
2. U.S. 30-Year Treasury Yield Hits 17-Year High;
3. Maaden and SABIC Agree on Fertilizer Collaboration;

At the close of 18/8/2026, the Tadawul All Shares Index(TASI.SA) decreased by 0.11%, closing at 10908.06 points; the Parallel Market Capped Index (NomuC)(NOMUC.SA) decreased by 0.71%, closing at 21515.75 points.

As of Monday’s close, the S&P 500 index(SPX.US) decreased by 0.52%, the NASDAQ(IXIC.US) fell by 0.32%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average(DJI.US) decreased by 0.51%.

U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Expires, Hormuz Strait Tensions Rise

The U.S.-Iran temporary ceasefire expired Monday, with President Trump saying it won’t be extended. Iran warned of adopting a "full offensive" stance and responding to any U.S. naval blockade if no permanent deal is reached. The main dispute centers on control of the Hormuz Strait: Iran demands management rights, while the U.S. insists on freedom of navigation. The tension has disrupted oil shipments, pushing Brent crude above $90 and U.S. gasoline prices over $4 per gallon.

U.S. 30-Year Treasury Yield Hits 17-Year High

The 30-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to 5.31%—the highest since 2007—amid worries about a $2 trillion annual deficit, persistent inflation, increased corporate bond issuance, and weaker demand from traditional buyers. Experts say longer yields are unlikely to fall unless there are major shifts in spending, debt issuance, or economic performance. The 2-year/30-year yield gap widened to its highest since April.

KSA Stocks

Maaden and SABIC Agree on Fertilizer Collaboration

Saudi Arabian Mining Co.(1211.SA) and SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co.(2020.SA) signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to explore joint opportunities in the fertilizer and agri-nutrients sector. The three-year agreement aims to foster cooperation in developing and manufacturing value-added products, though any concrete projects will require further evaluations and approvals. No immediate financial impact is expected.

Alfakhera Net Profit Surges 195% in H1 2026

Alfakhera for Mens Tailoring Co.(9618.SA) reported a net profit of SAR 13.81 million for the first half of 2026, up 195% from SAR 4.68 million in the same period last year. Revenue climbed 49% year-on-year to SAR 90.05 million, supported by business expansion, new branch openings, increased demand, and strong contribution from its subsidiary. Improved profit margins and sales growth were the main drivers of the strong performance.

USA Stocks

U.S. Urges Korea to Prioritize Memory Chip Investments

According to Korea JoongAng Daily, South Korea’s government planned to announce its first major U.S. investment project later this month, but uncertainty arose after the U.S. pushed Korea to invest in memory chip production facilities. Sources say this request was a key topic in a closed-door meeting at Korea’s presidential office on August 13. Korea had initially prioritized energy projects, but participants noted that major chipmakers Samsung and SK hynix Inc. Sponsored ADR(SKHY.US) are already committed to large investments locally, making U.S. memory chip investment difficult.

Nvidia Lowers Guarantee Cap to $105 Billion for AI Data Center

NVIDIA Corporation(NVDA.US) is partnering with SB Energy to build an Ohio AI data center, providing up to $105 billion in guarantees and investing $1.5 billion in equity. OpenAI will be the sole tenant. The guarantee cap was cut from earlier reports of $250 billion. Nvidia’s guarantees cover only lease, power, and certain commitments, declining over time. This move shows Nvidia expanding from GPU supply to core AI infrastructure. Markets remain concerned about risks and the sustainability of this financing model.