Saudi Central Bank
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), established in 1952, serves as the central bank of Saudi Arabia and is headquartered in Riyadh. As a government entity, SAMA is responsible for maintaining monetary stability, managing the country’s currency, supervising the banking sector, and overseeing payment systems. It plays a critical role in safeguarding the country’s financial and economic stability, acting as a custodian of Saudi Arabia’s significant foreign currency reserves. SAMA manages public reserves and foreign assets, enforces financial regulations, and serves as a key pillar in the implementation of economic policy. The institution primarily serves the Kingdom's government, financial sector, and foreign investors, with an employee count that is typically estimated at around 2,000 people.
Investment Strategy
SAMA’s investment strategy focuses on preserving capital and ensuring liquidity by investing Saudi Arabia’s vast reserves, primarily in low-risk, highly liquid assets such as major foreign government bonds and international securities. The central bank maintains a conservative approach, prioritizing stability, diversification, and prudent management to safeguard the resilience of the Saudi economy against external shocks. SAMA manages the country’s official reserves with the dual objective of maintaining currency stability and supporting macroeconomic policy, with investments geared toward safe and stable returns over the long term.
Top Holdings
Equity Positions (54)
| Ticker | Security | Weight | Market Value | Shares | Avg Cost | Price | Change (QoQ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M META | Meta Platforms Inc | 10.11% | $247.8K | 335,771 | $737.11 | $738.09 | -$246.7K |
X XLE | Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund | 7.47% | $183.2K | 2,160,502 | $84.81 | $84.81 | +$183.2K |
S SMH | VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 6.85% | $167.9K | 602,006 | $278.88 | $278.88 | +$167.9K |
P PLTR | Palantir Technologies Inc | 6.66% | $163.4K | 1,198,634 | $136.28 | $136.32 | +$93.5K |
Q QQQ | Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 | 5.94% | $145.6K | 263,622 | $551.64 | $551.64 | +$145.6K |