RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s main index closed higher today, boosted by optimism from investors as earnings season concluded on a positive note, after listed companies reported 73 percent profit growth in the first quarter. As of Wednesday’s closing bell, TASI gained 2.34 percent to reach 12,588, while the parallel market, Nomu, slipped 1.04 percent to 22,020. In the financial sector, Riyad Bank rose 8.25 percent to lead the gainers, while Rajhi and Alinma Bank climbed 3.18 percent and 5.40 percent, respectively. Saudi Industrial Export Co. fell 5.48 percent to lead the laggards, despite leading the market in early trade. Among the gainers on the list, Saudi Electricity Co. rose 6.22 percent, and Almarai Co. increased 6.01 percent. Telecom giants stc and Zain KSA were both up by 0.77 percent and 0.93 percent respectively. In the pharma sector, Aldawaa Medical Services Co. increased 1.04 percent, while Nahdi Medical Co. added 0.39 percent. Saudi Aramco, the largest player on the Saudi oil market, opened today’s trading up 2.12 percent. On the energy market, Brent crude traded at $114.70 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude traded at $111.07 per barrel, as of 3:39 p.m. Saudi time.