Kuwait Stock Exchange Reports 13.7 Million Dinars in Net Profit for the First Half

The Kuwait Stock Exchange announced its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, following a meeting of its Board of Directors held last Thursday, July 30, 2026, recording a net profit of 13.74 million dinars. The company recorded total operating revenues of 23.39 million dinars for the six months ended June 30, 2026, while operating profit reached 17.11 million dinars, and earnings per share amounted to 68.42 fils for the period ended June 30, 2026.

The strength of the company’s financial position was reflected in the growth of total assets to approximately 127.68 million dinars, while equity attributable to shareholders of the parent company stood at 67.51 million dinars as of June 30, 2026.

**Business Model Resilience and Restoration of Growth Momentum**

Commenting on the financial results and the company’s strategic direction, Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Stock Exchange, stated: “The Kuwait Stock Exchange began 2026 in an environment characterized by escalating geopolitical challenges and their repercussions on the broader economic landscape. Despite pressures affecting the first quarter’s performance, including a precautionary suspension of trading in early March to protect the market and participants, the Kuwait Stock Exchange demonstrated a high capacity for adaptation and restored growth momentum during the second quarter, with both operating revenues and net profit returning to a growth trajectory compared to the same period in 2025.”

This financial trajectory confirms this momentum, as the year-on-year decline in net profit narrowed from 24.59% at the end of the first quarter to 9.09% by the end of the first half, supported by improved operational performance and the recovery of the second quarter’s results.

Al-Kharafi added: “These results confirm that the Kuwait Stock Exchange is among the best-performing in the region, and the recovery of second-quarter profits proves the robustness and resilience of our business model in dealing with economic and regional changes. This performance is based on diversified revenue sources and operational and financial discipline in cost management, which contributed to enhancing operational efficiency and supporting performance sustainability. Amid ongoing regional uncertainty, we continue to manage our business with a methodology based on caution and discipline, while remaining committed to further developing the Kuwaiti capital market, protecting investors’ interests, and enhancing its role as a cornerstone in supporting the national economy and achieving Kuwait’s development objectives.”

**Market Development and Transition to a Multi-Asset Financial Market**

Al-Kharafi emphasized that regional crises and volatility have not deterred the Kuwait Stock Exchange from continuing its ambitious strategy to develop the market’s structural infrastructure and expand its investment options. The first half saw milestone achievements in the market development program.

Al-Kharafi said in this regard: “The launch of the bonds and sukuk trading platform in April and the listing of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in June represent a strategic step in the development of the Kuwaiti capital market. They enhance the transformation of the Kuwait Stock Exchange from a market primarily focused on equities into a multi-asset financial market, thereby expanding investment options for a broader base of investors and opening new financing avenues for companies and financial institutions.”

The launch of the fixed-income platform and the listing of ETFs completed the second part of the third phase of the market development program (MD 3.2). This phase also included the implementation of the Central Counterparty (CCP) system and the upgrade of brokerage firms to the “Qualified Broker” level.

Concluding his remarks, Al-Kharafi expressed his gratitude, stating: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend my sincere thanks to our shareholders for their continued trust, and to the executive management and company employees for their dedication and commitment. I also extend my thanks to the Capital Markets Authority and the capital market ecosystem for their continuous cooperation and support, and to investors and participants for their trust,” reaffirming the Kuwait Stock Exchange’s continued commitment to developing a more efficient and transparent financial market that serves the national economy.

Alongside the financial results, the Kuwait Stock Exchange continued during the first half of 2026 to enhance market operational efficiency and implement its strategic priorities, which was reflected in market performance, trading stability, and the continued inflow of institutional and international investments.

**Kuwait Capital Market Performance Reflects Resilience and Operational Efficiency**

The Kuwait capital market demonstrated a high capacity to maintain stability and operational efficiency during the first half of 2026, overcoming regional geopolitical tensions and oil price fluctuations that affected investor sentiment. The market emerged as one of the most stable in the region, ranking third in the Gulf in terms of “Total Market Index Return” performance (after the Muscat Securities Market and Saudi Exchange). The Kuwait Stock Exchange succeeded in being among only three Gulf markets to achieve positive returns during the first half, recording growth of 0.2% in total return, which reflects the actual value achieved by shareholders through price performance and sustainable cash dividends, while other regional markets experienced varying declines.

These indicators gain particular importance given the sensitivity of the regional environment and supply chain disruptions, confirming the strength of the financial positions of listed companies, the efficiency of the market system across its operational and regulatory components, and its ability to sustain activity under the most difficult conditions.

Commenting on this, Muhammad Al-Asimi, CEO of the Kuwait Stock Exchange, stated: “The Kuwait capital market’s recording of a positive 0.2% growth in the Total Market Index Return and its ranking third in the Gulf embody the capacity of our operational and regulatory system to absorb geopolitical shocks with exceptional flexibility. This performance sends a clear message of confidence to the investment community regarding the strength of the financial positions of listed companies and their firm commitment to creating sustainable value and actual cash flows, thereby consolidating the Kuwait Stock Exchange’s position as a solid and reliable investment environment capable of protecting and growing capital amid regional challenges.”

**Trading Stability and Liquidity Enhancement**

The Kuwait Stock Exchange maintained stable liquidity levels and regular trading operations during the first half, supported by the continuous development of the market’s operational infrastructure. This contributed to containing the repercussions of regional challenges on trading activity and ensuring the efficiency of liquidity flow.

- Total value of traded shares: Reached 9.82 billion dinars during the first half.

- Average Daily Trading Value (ADTV): Stabilized at 84.64 million dinars.

- Total Market Capitalization: Reached approximately 52.16 billion dinars by the end of the period.

Al-Asimi clarified in this context: “Trading value during the first half reached approximately 9.82 billion dinars, with an average daily trading volume of 84.64 million dinars. These indicators reflect the continuity of market activity and the efficiency of its operational infrastructure despite the complex regional environment. We continue to work on enhancing the depth and sustainability of liquidity to support long-term market efficiency.”

**Diversification of Investor Base and Market Structure Enhancement**

The Kuwait Stock Exchange continued during the first half of 2026 to enhance the market structure and diversify the investor base by attracting quality listings in the “First Market” and developing the investment environment, which contributed to maintaining market balance and activity continuity despite regional challenges.

**Trading Structure by Investor Nature:** Institutional investors accounted for the largest share, representing 70.08% of total market activity, while individual investors accounted for 29.92%.

**Trading Structure by Geography:** International investors (including GCC nationals) accounted for 18.79% of total trading value, compared to 81.21% for local investors.

Al-Asimi emphasized the strategic importance of these data, stating: “Institutional investors accounted for 70.08% of total market activity during the first half, while international investors contributed 18.79% of total trading value. This reflects the continued presence of institutional investors and the diversification of the investor base despite regional volatility. These indicators confirm the success of the Exchange’s efforts in providing an investment environment characterized by transparency and disclosure efficiency, which supports pricing efficiency and enhances the confidence of various investor categories.”

A Direct Strategy to Promote the Kuwaiti Capital Market and Attract Foreign Investment

The Kuwait Stock Exchange continued to strengthen its engagement with the international investment community through its active participation in the fifth HSBC Conference of GCC Stock Exchanges and by organizing its 17th Institutional Day in London, UK, with representatives of listed companies and global financial institutions. Additionally, the Kuwait Stock Exchange issued its fifth Sustainability Report for 2025, outlining developments in the implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, aligning with global best practices and enhancing the creation of sustainable value. Furthermore, in the first half of 2026, it launched the updated version of the “Guide for Preparing Governance, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Reports” to support listed companies in improving disclosure quality, enhancing transparency, and consolidating sustainability practices within the Kuwaiti capital market.

Institutional Commitment

The Kuwait Stock Exchange believes that sustainable financial markets are built on solid foundations of trust, transparency, and efficiency, and that continuous development is essential to enhancing its ability to meet investor expectations and global market requirements. In line with this approach, the Exchange continues to work in coordination with the Capital Markets Authority, the Kuwait Clearing Company, and all stakeholders in the market ecosystem to enhance market efficiency and investment depth, and to develop its operational and technical infrastructure according to the highest international standards. The Kuwait Stock Exchange also continues to implement its strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the Kuwaiti capital market and boosting its attractiveness to local and international investors, thereby contributing to consolidating Kuwait’s position as a regional financial and investment hub and supporting the achievement of the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035.

Operational Readiness and Strengthening International Investment Presence

Mohammed Al-Asimi, CEO of the Kuwait Stock Exchange, emphasized that business continuity and technical system efficiency formed the cornerstone for ensuring market continuity and protecting investors’ interests during periods of escalating geopolitical tensions. The Exchange maintained full operational readiness of its technical infrastructure, relying on risk management frameworks and stress tests aligned with international best practices, thereby ensuring efficient trading operations and safeguarding the rights of market participants under exceptional circumstances.