Divergent performance of stock market indices at the start of weekly trading

The Kuwait Stock Exchange opened its weekly trading session with mixed movements across its indices, as the Main Market Index recorded a slight decline, while the General Index and the Main Market Index rose; amid varied movements among stocks and market components during the session.

Regional developments continued to cast a shadow of caution over trading activity, driven by the ongoing ambiguity surrounding the war in the region, the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and reciprocal statements between the US and Iranian sides. These factors negatively impacted investor sentiment and weighed on the performance of financial markets, including the Kuwait Stock Exchange.

Despite the volatility witnessed by the indices, the session saw positive movements in several stocks. Mizan share led the most-gained stocks in the Main Market, rising by more than 3 percent, while losses among the worst-performing stocks in the Main Market remained below 2 percent.

At the overall market level, Aabar share topped the list of most-gained stocks, rising by more than 12 percent. Al-Kout, Al-Anzima, and Noor shares also recorded gains exceeding 9 percent each; however, some of these gains occurred against the backdrop of limited trading volumes.

Total traded liquidity exceeded 86 million dinars, a level considered healthy compared to the usual liquidity rates seen at the start of weekly trading. The Main Market accounted for the largest share of this liquidity at 52 percent, while the General Market took the remaining 48 percent.

A total of 131 shares were traded, with prices rising for 41 shares, falling for 68 shares, and remaining stable for 22 shares. Weighted indices rose for eight sectors in the market, led by the Technology sector with a 9.15 percent increase and the Energy sector with a 3.09 percent rise. Conversely, indices fell for five sectors, led by the Healthcare sector with a 1.50 percent decline and the Consumer Services sector with a 0.80 percent drop.

In terms of index performance, the General Index rose by approximately 2.76 points, equivalent to 0.03 percent, reaching 8,841 points. A volume of 335.6 million shares was traded through 18,921 deals.

The Main Market Index lost approximately 3.11 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 9,294 points, with a liquidity value of 44.6 million dinars and a volume of 129.3 million shares traded across 6,294 deals.

Meanwhile, the General Market Index rose by approximately 31.01 points, or 0.35 percent, closing at 8,869 points. The traded value reached 41.4 million dinars, with a volume of 206.3 million shares executed through 12,627 deals.

Regarding the most-traded stocks by value, Al-Taksees ranked first with a value of 7.86 million dinars, closing at a price of 170 fils. It was followed by Mazoon with 6.11 million dinars, closing at 152 fils, then Arkan with 4.57 million dinars, closing at 325 fils, and Bitak with 4.48 million dinars, closing at 775 fils. Fifth place went to Gulf Bank with 3.4 million dinars, closing at 365 fils.

Aabar share topped the list of most-rising stocks with a 12.37 percent increase, trading 13.2 million shares to reach a price of 218 fils. It was followed by Al-Kout with a 9.99 percent rise, trading only one share to reach 837 fils. Al-Anzima came third with a 9.15 percent increase, trading 1.68 million shares to reach a price of 1.097 dinars. Noor followed with a 9.13 percent gain, trading 2.46 million shares to reach 478 fils. First Takaful ranked fifth with a 6.74 percent increase, trading 1.14 million shares to reach a price of 206 fils.

On the other hand, Al-Taqaddum shares fell by 4.49 percent to top the list of the most declining stocks, albeit with only 398 shares traded, closing at a price of 510 fils. It was followed by Mawashi, which dropped 3.20 percent with 589,500 shares traded, closing at 121 fils. Next was Hotels, down 3.17 percent on 19,250 shares traded, closing at 183 fils, then Arkan, which fell 2.56 percent with 4.35 million shares traded, closing at 114 fils. Fifth was Oصول (Osool), down 2.42 percent with approximately 793,500 shares traded, closing at 242 fils.