Kuwait Stock Exchange: Gains Despite Regional Tensions

Despite geopolitical tensions in the region, the Kuwait Stock Exchange demonstrated a clear ability to absorb some of these pressures, closing Monday’s trading with broad gains across major indices. The general index rose by 18.07 points, or 0.20%, to 8,962.24 points, amid active trading volume of 463.1 million shares across 32,516 transactions, valued at 121.8 million dinars. Energy markets entered a new week amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with oil prices jumping by approximately 3% after developments in the Strait of Hormuz reignited fears of disruptions to oil and gas supplies. Brent crude rose by $3.14, or 3%, to $107.75 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude climbed by $3.01, or 3.01%, to $103.06 per barrel. Prices continued their upward trend, pushing crude to gains of nearly 8% over the past week and surpassing the $100 mark for the first time since July.