The Capital Market Authority (CMA) on Monday authorized five investment and securities firms to operate in continuance with its efforts to develop and support investors in the capital markets. They are: 1. Thara Financial Consulting Company, which is authorized to conduct arranging and advising in the securities business. 2. Alinma Investment Company is authorized to conduct dealing (as principal, agent, and underwriter), managing, arranging, advising, and custody in the securities business. 3. SEDCO Capital Company is authorized to conduct managing, arranging, advising, and custody in the securities business. 4. Malaz Capital Company is authorized to conduct managing investment funds, arranging, advising, and custody in the securities business. 5. Al Arabi Capital Saudi Arabia Company is authorized to conduct Dealing as underwriter, managing, arranging, advising, and custody in the securities business. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's index climbed 2.03 percent to a new three-month high of 5,308.42 points, its eighth advance in 10 sessions. Saudi Basic Industries Corp added 0.6 percent, while Al-Rajhi Bank and Samba Financial Group rose 5.4 and 9.4 percent, respectively. Dubai's measure fell 0.1 percent to 1,655 points, its first reverse for three sessions. Abu Dhabi's index added 0.4 percent to 2,609 points, its highest close since Dec. 18. __
