Profits of Exchange Companies Double in Six Months

Profits of 31 exchange companies operating in the Kuwaiti market doubled during the first six months of 2026, driven by a significant rise in revenues from currency sales and bank interest.

Official data released by the Central Bank of Kuwait showed that the net profits of exchange companies increased by 110.5%, amounting to 16.5 million dinars, to reach 31.48 million dinars during the period from January to the end of June 2026, compared to 14.95 million dinars during the same period in 2025.

Total revenues of exchange companies rose by 43.28%, amounting to 20.1 million dinars, to reach 66.56 million dinars in the first half of 2026, compared to 46.45 million dinars during the same period in 2025.

This revenue increase was driven by a notable rise in currency sales revenues, which grew by 51.17%, amounting to 20.35 million dinars, to reach 60.14 million dinars by the end of the first half of 2026, compared to 39.78 million dinars at the end of the corresponding period in 2025.

Revenues from bank interest increased by 26.18%, amounting to 114.8 thousand dinars, to reach 553.3 thousand dinars by the end of the first half of 2026, compared to 438.5 thousand dinars at the end of the first half of 2025.

Meanwhile, other revenue items declined by 5.85%, amounting to 364.9 thousand dinars, to reach 5.87 million dinars by the end of the first half of 2026, compared to 6.23 million dinars for the same period in 2025.

Regarding expenses, they rose by 11.35%, amounting to 3.57 million dinars, to reach 35.08 million dinars by the end of the first half of 2026, compared to 31.5 million dinars for the same period in 2025.

Administrative and banking expenses increased by 14.1%, amounting to 3.6 million dinars, to reach 29.3 million dinars by the end of the first half of 2026, compared to 25.69 million dinars at the end of the corresponding period in 2025.

Expenses related to bank interest rose by 14.9%, amounting to 107.5 thousand dinars, to reach 824.8 thousand dinars by the end of the first half of 2026, compared to 717.3 thousand dinars at the end of the first half of 2025.

Provisions declined by 1.3%, amounting to 62.3 thousand dinars, to reach 4.51 million dinars by the end of the first half of 2026, compared to 4.58 million dinars at the end of the corresponding period in 2025.

Other expenses fell by 18.2%, amounting to 92.6 thousand dinars, to reach 415.8 thousand dinars by the end of the first half of 2026, compared to 508.4 thousand dinars at the end of the first half of 2025.