Mixed Performance at Kuwait Stock Exchange: 'First' Market Rises, 'Main' Market Sees Profit-Taking

The Kuwait Stock Exchange showed mixed performance during the first half of Monday’s trading session, with the upper hand tilting toward gains supported by the First Market, while a segment of shares in the Main Market faced more pronounced selling pressure, reflecting on the “Main 50” Index, alongside notable liquidity activity exceeding 51 million dinars.

In contrast, the Main Market Index fell 0.2 percent, losing 18.40 points to 9,146.23 points, while the “Main 50” Index saw greater pressure, declining 0.83 percent, equivalent to 87.69 points, to 10,450.70 points.

This divergence highlights differing liquidity trends across market segments during the session. Leading shares maintained a degree of cohesion that kept the First Market in positive territory, whereas several Main Market shares experienced selling and profit-taking following their activity in recent sessions.

Trading value reached approximately 51.31 million dinars by mid-session, involving 180.89 million shares traded across 10,860 transactions, levels that reflect continued market activity despite the divergence in index directions.

“Oula Takaful” topped the list of most-traded stocks by value at around 10.73 million dinars, rising 8.03 percent, making it also the top gainer in the market by mid-session. “Eva” ranked second with liquidity of about 4.76 million dinars, up 2.46 percent, followed by “Bitek” at around 3.68 million dinars with a modest rise of 0.13 percent, and “Boubyan Bank” at around 2.70 million dinars, up 0.29 percent.

“Sahel” ranked fifth with liquidity of approximately 2.41 million dinars, but declined 5.13 percent, a notable reversal after the stock recorded strong gains in Sunday’s session.

Among the top gainers, “Oula Takaful” led with a rise of 8.03 percent, followed by “Qaywan A” at around 7.41 percent, “Khaleej T” at 4.79 percent, “Yopak” at 3.74 percent, and “Eva” at 2.46 percent.

Conversely, “Al-Anzima” led the decliners with a drop of 8.59 percent, followed by “Sahel” at 5.13 percent, “Maidan” at 4.97 percent, “Nabisco” at 4.90 percent, and “Asas” at 3.78 percent.