Selling Pressure Continues at Kuwait Stock Exchange... 'Kuwait 50' Index Drops 2.05%

The Kuwait Stock Exchange continued its negative performance at the close of Monday’s trading session, with its four main indices closing at varying levels of decline. This downturn persisted amid prevailing caution among traders driven by geopolitical concerns, even as liquidity showed a noticeable improvement compared to the weak levels recorded in the previous session.

Total traded value reached approximately 69 million Kuwaiti dinars, involving 274.5 million shares across 23,700 transactions. However, the improvement in trading activity failed to alter the market’s overall downward trajectory, as selling pressure continued to weigh heavily on a broad segment of stocks.

The heaviest pressure came from the Main Market, particularly the “Main 50” index, which recorded the largest losses among indices, dropping 2.05 percent. It lost 194.01 points to close at 9,261.04 points, signaling ongoing pressures affecting several mid-cap and small-cap stocks.

The Main Market Index also declined by 0.80 percent, equivalent to 67.79 points, closing at 8,418.72 points, continuing the weak performance evident in recent sessions.

Conversely, losses in the First Market were less severe. Its index fell by 0.34 percent, losing 30.20 points to reach 8,840.52 points. Meanwhile, the General Market Index dropped by 0.42 percent, or 35.28 points, closing at 8,406.78 points.

Today’s session highlighted continued divergence in pressure across market segments. The First Market remained relatively more resilient, while pressure intensified on the Main Market, which had previously outperformed leading stocks in earlier periods.

Despite the rise in traded value from 38.9 million dinars yesterday to approximately 69 million dinars today, index trends indicate that the return of activity has not yet been accompanied by a clear shift in market direction. Selling activities and portfolio rebalancing continued in several stocks.

Uncertainty remains tied to two main factors: first, geopolitical developments and fears of escalating regional tensions, which have heightened investor caution; and second, anticipation of corporate disclosures regarding nine-month results, which will provide new financial data to reassess stocks and adjust investment positions based on each company’s performance.

In terms of individual stock movements, Gulf Bank topped the gainers list with a rise of 9.33 percent, followed by Al Sorour by 5.71 percent, Yobak by 4.39 percent, Qainun A by 3.94 percent, and Zain by 2.11 percent.

On the losing side, Shuwaikh led with a decline of 10.31 percent, followed by Markaz by 7.89 percent, Mina by 7.75 percent, Awal Takaful by 7.05 percent, and Tanzeef by 6.52 percent.

In terms of trading value, Gulf Bank led with transactions totaling 10.3 million dinars, followed by BNB (Bayt Al Mal) at approximately 7.74 million dinars, then Snam at 4.5 million dinars, National Bank at 3.15 million dinars, and Zain at 2.54 million dinars.

The Technology sector led the declines with a loss of 2.99 percent, followed by Healthcare by 1.77 percent, Energy by 1.47 percent, Financial Services by 1.44 percent, Industry by 1.32 percent, Consumer Services by 1.12 percent, Basic Materials by 1.08 percent, Real Estate by 1.03 percent, and Banks by 0.26 percent. The Utilities sector also declined by 0.76 percent.

Conversely, the Insurance sector rose by 1.35 percent, Telecommunications by 1 percent, and Consumer Goods by a marginal 0.05 percent.