WOMEN INVESTORS BEAT MEN IN STOCK MARKET

Riyadh, 25 Dzulqa’dah 1435/20 September 2014 (MINA) – The number of Saudi women investors in the stock market has grown by 5 percent, while men investors increased by 2 percent over the first half of this year.

There are now 892,900 women investors trading stocks, compared to 3.51 million men investors, according to a recent report in a local daily, Arab News quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Abdul Kareem Al-Kashef, a Saudi bourse dealer, told Arab News that while women are increasingly investing, their lack of experience is becoming a reason for their several serious mistakes.

“Several Saudi businesswomen took this decision to prove that they can make money like men. But they do not have years of experience like them. Many Saudi investors have spent decades working in the stock market.”

“Several businesswomen lost their money because they did not have good experience and knowledge on how to invest in the stock market. However, the increasing number of Saudi women was noticeable,” he said.

Rashed Towfiq, an economist, told Arab News: “Several women cannot read the developments and changes in the stock market. However, most of them want to avoid risks when buying new shares.”

Saudi Arabia allows women to acquire commercial licenses, but some of them use expatriates to manage their businesses because of the restricted sectors in which they can operate.

According to the report, some women depend on their husbands or relatives to manage their businesses, but most prefer expatriates. (T/P001/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)