Kuwait Stock Exchange gains 13.74 million dinars in the first half
The company recorded total operating revenues of KD 23.39 million for the six months ended June 30, while operating profit stood at KD 17.11 million, and earnings per share reached 68.42 fils for the same period.
The company’s strong financial position was also reflected in the growth of total assets to approximately KD 127.68 million, with shareholders’ equity of the parent company reaching KD 67.51 million as of June 30, 2026.
Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Stock Exchange, stated: “We began 2026 in a regional environment marked by escalating geopolitical challenges and their impact on the broader economic landscape. Despite pressures affecting first-quarter performance, including a precautionary trading suspension in early March aimed at protecting the market and participants, the Kuwait Stock Exchange demonstrated a high capacity to adapt and regain growth momentum in the second quarter. Both operating revenues and net profit resumed their growth trajectory compared to the same period in 2025.”
Al-Kharafi noted that the financial results 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 a recovery in second-quarter results.
He added: “These results confirm that the Kuwait Stock Exchange is among the best-performing in the region. The recovery in second-quarter profits demonstrates the robustness and resilience of our business model in navigating economic and regional changes. This performance is underpinned by diversified revenue sources, operational and financial discipline in cost management, which have contributed to enhancing operational efficiency and supporting performance sustainability.”
He continued: “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 strengthening the exchange’s role as a cornerstone in supporting the national economy and achieving Kuwait’s development objectives.”
Al-Kharafi emphasized that regional crises and fluctuations have not deterred the Kuwait Stock Exchange from continuing its ambitious strategy to develop the market’s structural framework and expand its investment options. The first half saw landmark milestones in the market development program.
He said: “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 primarily equity-focused market into a multi-asset financial market, thereby broadening investment options for a wider base of investors and opening new financing avenues for companies and financial institutions.”
He added: “The launch of the fixed-income platform and the listing of ETFs complete the second phase of the third stage 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, saying: “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 thank the Capital Markets Authority and the capital market ecosystem for their continuous cooperation and support, and to investors and market participants for their confidence. I reaffirm the Kuwait Stock Exchange’s ongoing commitment to developing a more efficient and transparent financial market that serves the national economy.”
Alongside its 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 the market’s performance, trading stability, and the continued inflow of institutional and international investments.
The Kuwaiti capital market demonstrated a high capacity to maintain its stability and operational efficiency during the first half of the year, 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 Tadawul). The Kuwait Stock Exchange succeeded in being among only three Gulf markets to achieve positive returns during the first half, recording a growth of 0.2% in total return, which reflects the actual value realized 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, underscoring the robustness of the financial positions of listed companies and the efficiency of the market system across its operational and regulatory components, as well as its ability to sustain activity under the most difficult conditions.
Commenting on this, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kuwait Stock Exchange, Mohammed Saud Al-Asimi, stated that “the Kuwaiti capital market’s positive growth of 0.2% in the Total Market Index Return and its third-place ranking in the Gulf exemplify the capacity of our operational and regulatory framework to absorb geopolitical shocks with exceptional flexibility.”
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 impact of regional challenges on trading activity and ensuring the efficiency of liquidity flows.
In this context, Al-Asimi clarified: “Trading volume during the first half reached approximately 9.82 billion dinars, with a daily average of 84.64 million dinars. These indicators reflect the continuity of market activity and the efficiency of its operational structure despite the complex regional environment. We continue to work on enhancing the depth and sustainability of liquidity to support market efficiency in the long term.”
During the first half of 2026, the Kuwait Stock Exchange continued to strengthen the market structure and diversify its investor base by attracting quality listings in the “Main Market” and developing the investment environment, which helped maintain market balance and activity continuity despite regional challenges.
• 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, thereby supporting pricing efficiency and enhancing the confidence of various investor categories.”
The CEO of the Kuwait Stock Exchange emphasized that business continuity and the efficiency of technical systems formed the cornerstone for ensuring market continuity and protecting investors’ interests during the period 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 participants’ rights under exceptional circumstances.
• Global Presence: The Exchange continued to strengthen engagement with the international investment community through its active participation in the fifth HSBC Conference for GCC Stock Exchanges, and by organizing the 17th Institutional Day in London, with participation from representatives of listed companies and global financial institutions.
• Reinforcing Corporate Sustainability: The Kuwait Stock Exchange issued its fifth Sustainability Report for 2025, outlining developments in the implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards in line with global best practices and aimed at enhancing sustainable value creation. Additionally, during the first half of 2026, it launched the updated version of the “Guidelines for Preparing Governance, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Reports” to support listed companies in improving disclosure quality, enhancing transparency, and consolidating sustainability practices in the Kuwaiti capital market.
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 capacity to meet investors’ expectations and global market requirements.
Guided by this approach, the company 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 in accordance with the highest international standards.
