Global market update: Saudi opening capital market to international investors from 1 Feb 2026 (quick + to the point)
✅ What’s happening
Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) will open the capital market to all categories of foreign investors from 1 Feb 2026, removing the old Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) restrictions.
📈 Market impact (what it means globally)
1) More foreign money can flow into Tadawul (Saudi stock market)
Expected to increase liquidity and broaden the investor base.
2) Emerging Markets sentiment boost (GCC focus)
This positions Saudi more strongly vs other EM markets for global allocations (MSCI/FTSE-style flows over time).
3) Likely winners
Banks & financial services
Large liquid blue chips
IPO pipeline / secondary offerings (more demand = easier fundraising)
⚠️ Key risks to watch
Oil price volatility still drives regional sentiment.
Global rates / USD strength can impact foreign inflows.
🔥 One-line summary
Saudi opening from Feb 1 can attract fresh global inflows, improve liquidity, and support valuations—especially big cap stocks—while oil & global rates remain the main risks.
