Stock Market Losses Reach 606.9 Million Dinars in 9 Months... with a 1.4% Decline

The Kuwait Stock Exchange witnessed numerous developments and events in the third quarter, most of which were characterized by a negative tone. Foremost among these was the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, along with its repercussions on markets and economies.

Additionally, the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the absence of clear signs of a near-term resolution, persistently high global interest rates, inflationary pressures, and other factors imposed a climate of caution and pressure on trading activity.

However, the third quarter was not devoid of positive factors that supported market performance. These included the approval of the mortgage financing law, which revitalized the market, albeit for a limited period, as well as a number of laws and regulations aimed at improving the business environment and investment climate, thereby supporting efforts to attract capital and enhance economic activity.

Despite the dominance of negative developments in the overall landscape, the Kuwait Stock Exchange managed to record varying increases in its indices during the third quarter. However, performance was not stable throughout its sessions, as the period witnessed sharp fluctuations and divergent movements between significant declines and strong rallies, reflecting the volatility that dominated trading activity.

The First Market Index led the gains during the third quarter, recording a 0.93 percent increase, equivalent to 85.25 points. Meanwhile, the Main Market Index rose by 0.36 percent, amounting to 33.24 points. Consequently, the General Market Index increased by 0.83 percent, adding approximately 73.05 points.

As a result, the market capitalization gained 422.8 million dinars, closing at 52.58 billion dinars, representing a 0.78 percent increase compared to the 52.15 billion dinars recorded at the end of the second quarter, which concluded on June 30.

Conversely, all market variables declined, with the traded value dropping by 4.47 percent to reach 5.82 billion dinars, compared to a liquidity volume of 6.09 billion dinars. The First Market accounted for the largest share of this liquidity at 55 percent, while the Main Market held the remaining 45 percent.

Traded volumes decreased by 13.5 percent to approximately 22.1 billion shares, compared to 25.5 billion shares. The number of trades also fell by 3.07 percent to reach 1,497,135 trades, down from 1,544,667 trades.

Market performance has varied since the beginning of the year through the nine-month period, with indices showing divergent trends. The Main Market Index rose by 9.5 percent, gaining 792.25 points, while the First Market Index lost approximately 3.47 percent, equivalent to 330.38 points. The General Market Index recorded an overall decline of approximately 1.43 percent, losing about 128.22 points.

Market capitalization losses amounted to approximately 606.9 million dinars, representing a decline of about 1.14 percent. The stock market entered 2026 with a market capitalization of 53.18 billion dinars, while traded liquidity since the beginning of the year reached approximately 15.64 billion dinars.

Regarding the last sessions of the month, the stock exchange closed with a broad decline in its indices following a session marked by clear volatility. Index movements fluctuated between gains and losses before concluding trading in the red zone.

Traded liquidity decreased by 12 percent to approximately 88.1 million dinars, compared to approximately 100.1 million dinars at the close of Tuesday’s session. The First Market accounted for the largest share of this liquidity at 61 percent, while the Main Market held the remaining 39 percent.

Despite the predominantly negative tone of the session, several stocks posted notable positive performances, led by Al-Taqaddum, which rose by more than 18.5 percent, followed by Sanam, which gained over 6.5 percent, and Al-Ahliya for Insurance, which rose by more than 4 percent.

Conversely, Markaz led the list of the most declining stocks, dropping by more than 11 percent, while both Al-Anzima and Al-Imtiyaz each fell by more than 9 percent.

A total of 132 stocks were traded, with prices rising for 38 stocks, falling for 79 stocks, and remaining stable for 15 stocks. Weighted indices declined for eight market sectors, led by the Technology sector, which fell by 9.68 percent, and the Consumer Goods sector, which dropped by 3.26 percent. Meanwhile, indices rose for four sectors, headed by the Healthcare sector, which increased by 3.43 percent, and the Insurance sector, which rose by 0.51 percent, while prices for the Public Benefits sector remained stable.

Regarding index performance, the General Market Index fell by approximately 18.25 points, equivalent to 0.21 percent, to close at 8,779 points. A volume of 289 million shares was traded through 22,283 transactions.

The First Market Index lost approximately 10.59 points, or 0.12 percent, to reach 9,167 points, with a liquidity value of 54 million Kuwaiti dinars and a volume of 127.4 million shares traded across 9,351 transactions.

The Main Index also declined by approximately 58.63 points, or 0.64 percent, closing at 9,094 points. The traded value amounted to 34 million Kuwaiti dinars, with a volume of 161.6 million shares executed through 12,932 transactions.

In terms of most-traded stocks by value, Bitik ranked first with a value of 7.99 million Kuwaiti dinars, closing at a price of 774 fils. It was followed by eva, with a value of 6.5 million Kuwaiti dinars and a price of 473 fils, then Arzan, with 4.5 million Kuwaiti dinars, closing at 305 fils, and eva Hotels, with 4.4 million Kuwaiti dinars, reaching a price of 636 fils. Fifth was Sanam, with 4.3 million Kuwaiti dinars, closing at 374 fils.

Al-Taqaddum led the list of the most rising stocks, gaining 18.55 percent, with a trading volume of 109,200 shares, closing at a price of 652 fils. It was followed by Sanam, which rose by 6.55 percent, with a traded volume of 11.9 million shares, closing at 374 fils. Al-Ahliya for Insurance came third, up 4.19 percent, with a volume of 333,700 shares, closing at 870 fils. Injazat ranked fourth, gaining 2.76 percent, with a volume of 68,900 shares, closing at 149 fils. Fifth was Cables, up 1.75 percent, with a volume of 221,700 shares, closing at 1.740 Kuwaiti dinars.

On the other hand, Markaz recorded a decline of 11.37 percent, leading the list of the most declining stocks, with a trading volume of 8.1 million shares, closing at a price of 226 fils. It was followed by Al-Anzima, which fell by 9.68 percent, with a volume of 1.9 million shares, dropping to a price of 858 fils. Then came Al-Imtiyaz, down 9.07 percent, with a volume of 11,100 shares, closing at 341 fils. Maidan ranked fifth, declining by 4.90 percent, with a volume of 1,050 shares, dropping to a price of 913 fils. Finally, Yopak fell by 4.41 percent, with a volume of approximately 1.05 million shares, closing at a price of 282 fils.