Most Important News

1. US-Iran Talks Show Stark Divide: “US Optimism vs. Iranian Denial”;
2. Cherry Trading Announces Dividend Recommendation and Major Vehicle Leasing Contract;
3. Google in Talks with Marvell to Develop New AI Chips;

At the close of 19/4/2025, the Tadawul All Shares Index(TASI.SA) decreased by 0.78%, closing at 11464.54 points; the Parallel Market Capped Index (NomuC)(NOMUC.SA) fell by 0.89%, closing at 23068.79 points.

As of Friday’s close, the S&P 500 index(SPX.US) increased by 1.20%, the NASDAQ(IXIC.US) rose by 1.52%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average(DJI.US) increased by 1.79%.

US-Iran Talks Over the Weekend Show Sharp Contrast: “Optimistic US Announcements vs. Iranian Denials”

On the 19th, Trump said the US had offered a “fair” deal and that talks would resume in Islamabad on the 20th, warning of strikes and continued port blockades if no agreement is reached by the 22nd. Meanwhile, Iranian media denied any new talks, insisting negotiations won’t resume under the maritime blockade. Key disputes remain over uranium enrichment, nuclear activity, and control of the Strait of Hormuz. With the ceasefire expiring on April 22, prospects for an agreement are uncertain.

Unbelievable Surge: Mag 7 Leads US Stocks to New Highs with 20% Rally Since Late March

Tech giants have staged a stunning comeback, with the Mag 7 jumping over 20% and regaining around $4 trillion in market cap in just weeks. After sharp valuation resets, mega-cap cloud leaders like Microsoft look attractive again. Renewed AI optimism and a 19% earnings growth forecast are boosting market confidence, drawing institutional focus back to this catch-up rally despite ongoing concerns over hedge fund selling and capex.

KSA Stocks

Cherry Trading Announces Dividend Recommendation and Major Vehicle Leasing Contract

Cherry Trading Co.(4265.SA) recommended a cash dividend of 0.5 per share for the 2025 fiscal year, pending General Assembly approval. The company also announced it has been awarded a SAR 61.4 million, three-year vehicle leasing contract with Riyadh Municipality for 922 vehicles. The financial impact from this contract will be reflected in the third quarter.

Saleh Al-Rashed Schedules EGM to Approve 37.2M SAR Dividend and Key Business Changes

Saleh Abdulaziz Al Rashed and Sons Co.(1324.SA) invited shareholders to an Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting on May 11, 2026. The agenda includes reviewing 2025 financials, voting on a 37.2 million SAR cash dividend (2 SAR per share), approving amendments to convert to a public joint-stock company, appointing an auditor, authorizing interim dividends for 2026, and approving related-party deals worth around 191.5 million SAR with Najd Roads Construction Company.

USA Stocks

Google in Talks with Marvell to Develop New AI Chips

Alphabet Inc. Class A(GOOGL.US) is negotiating with Marvell Technology, Inc.(MRVL.US) to develop two new chips aimed at improving AI model performance: a memory processing unit designed to work with Google’s TPU, and a new TPU specifically for AI. Google hopes to position its TPUs as an alternative to Nvidia’s GPUs, driving growth in its cloud business. The companies aim to finish designing the memory processing unit by next year, with trial production to follow.

Musk: SpaceX and Tesla Will Remain Key TSMC Clients

Elon Musk said SpaceX and Tesla Motors, Inc.(TSLA.US) will always be important customers for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Sponsored ADR(TSM.US), but current production can’t meet their chip needs—hence the push for their own “Terafab” factory. His comments came in response to TSMC’s CEO, who highlighted the challenges of balancing relationships and competition in the chip industry, and the importance of technology, manufacturing, and trust.