642.2 million dinars in stock market gains during the week

The Kuwait Stock Exchange concluded its trading for the first week of August on a positive note, with all its indices recording gains. This performance was supported by continued geopolitical calm and the positive financial results announced by listed companies for the first half of the year, which bolstered investor appetite and supported trading activity throughout the week.

The main market index led the weekly gains, rising by approximately 3 percent, or 267.39 points. Meanwhile, the First Market index recorded growth of 0.87 percent, or 80.85 points, while the General Market index rose by 1.24 percent, gaining 108.94 points.

As a result, the market capitalization of the exchange increased by approximately KD 642.2 million, reaching KD 53.05 billion, a rise of 1.22 percent compared to liquidity valued at KD 52.41 billion, at the close of the week ending July 30.

Market indicators showed mixed performance. The traded value declined by 4.77 percent to KD 362.9 million, compared to liquidity of KD 381.1 million. The First Market accounted for the largest share of this liquidity at 67 percent, while the Main Market held the remaining 33 percent.

Traded volumes amounted to approximately KD 1.28 billion, compared to 1.3 billion shares, representing a decrease of 1.14 percent. However, the number of trades increased by 4.9 percent to 89,876 deals, up from 85,634 deals.

In the final sessions of the week, market indicators showed mixed performance. The Main Market index continued its upward trend, while both the First Market and General Market indices closed lower.

Liquidity traded during the session fell to KD 68.3 million, a decline of 17.3 percent compared to the KD 82.6 million recorded at the close of Wednesday’s session.

The First Market continued to hold the largest share of this liquidity at 65 percent, while the Main Market accounted for the remaining 35 percent.

The decline in the First Market was attributed to profit-taking and relative pressure on several leading stocks, which in turn affected the performance of the General Market index, following the gains these stocks had recorded in the previous Wednesday’s session.

A total of 134 shares were traded. Prices rose for 60 shares, fell for 54 shares, and remained stable for 20 shares. Weighted indices rose for eight sectors in the market, led by the Insurance sector by 3.02 percent and Basic Materials by 2.65 percent. Conversely, indices fell for five sectors, headed by the Utilities sector by 0.68 percent and Energy by 0.40 percent.

In detail, the General Market index fell by approximately 11.14 points, or 0.13 percent, to reach 8,865 points. A volume of 241.7 million shares was traded through 17,708 deals.

The First Market index also lost approximately 23.56 points, or 0.25 percent, closing at 9,296 points with a traded value of KD 44.4 million and a volume of 113.5 million shares, executed through 8,679 deals.

The Main Market index gained approximately 44.44 points, or 0.50 percent, reaching 9,003 points, with liquidity valued at KD 23.8 million and volumes of 128.1 million shares, executed through 9,029 deals.

As a result, the market capitalization of the exchange lost approximately KD 67.8 million, reaching KD 53.05 billion, compared to KD 53.12 billion at the close of Wednesday’s session, representing a decline of approximately 0.12 percent.

In terms of value, the most actively traded shares were Bitak Al-Awwal, with a trading value of 6.3 million dinars, closing at 786 fils, followed by Al-Watani at 5.3 million dinars, reaching 864 fils, then GFH at 3.4 million dinars, closing at 175 fils, and Tijara at 3 million dinars, reaching 167 fils. Fifth was National International Holding at 2.6 million dinars, closing at 180 fils.

The Al-Kout share topped the list of the most rising stocks, gaining 9.87 percent, albeit with only 9 shares traded, reaching 857 fils. It was followed by Al-Ihadah, up 6.73 percent, with a traded volume of 55,900 shares, reaching 365 fils, then CAMCO, up 6 percent, with a traded volume of 1.29 million shares, reaching 212 fils, and Tijara, up 5.70 percent, with a traded volume of 18.6 million shares, closing at 167 fils. Fifth was Tharia, up 5.16 percent, with a traded volume of 4.8 million shares, reaching 224 fils.

On the other hand, the Tamayoz share recorded a decline of 4.76 percent, topping the list of the most falling stocks, albeit with only 150 shares traded, closing at 360 fils. It was followed by Markazat, down 3.65 percent, with a traded volume of 1.61 million shares, falling to 185 fils, then Tamdeen Real Estate, down 2.66 percent, with a traded volume of 63,900 shares, closing at 403 fils, and Muntazahat, down 2.48 percent, with a traded volume of approximately 956,400 shares, closing at 118 fils. Fifth was Al-Daira, down 2.46 percent, with a traded volume of 317,000 shares, falling to 476 fils.