Kuwait Bourse Reports 13.74 Million Dinars in Net Profit for the First Half of 2026
Kuwait Bourse for Financial Securities announced its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, recording a net profit of KD 13.74 million. The company reported total operating revenues of KD 23.39 million, while operating profit stood at KD 17.11 million. Earnings per share reached 68.42 fils.
The strength of the company’s financial position was reflected in the growth of total assets to KD 127.68 million, while shareholders’ equity reached KD 67.51 million.
Commenting on the financial results and the company’s strategic direction, Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kuwait Bourse, stated: “Kuwait Bourse began 2026 in a regional environment characterized by escalating geopolitical challenges and their impact on the broader economic landscape. Despite pressures affecting the first quarter’s performance, including the precautionary suspension of trading in early March to protect the market and participants, Kuwait Bourse demonstrated high adaptability and regained growth momentum in the second quarter. Both operating revenues and net profit resumed their growth trajectory compared to the same period in 2025.”
This financial trajectory underscores this momentum, as the year-on-year decline in net profit narrowed from 24.59% at the end of the first quarter to 9.09% by the end of the first half, supported by improved operational performance and a recovery in the second quarter results. Al-Kharafi added: “These results confirm that Kuwait Bourse is among the best-performing exchanges in the region. The recovery in second-quarter profits proves the robustness and resilience of our business model in dealing with economic and regional changes. This performance is built on diversified revenue sources and operational and financial discipline in cost management, which has contributed to enhancing operational efficiency and supporting performance sustainability. Amid ongoing regional uncertainty, we continue to manage our business with a methodology based on caution and discipline, while remaining committed to developing the Kuwaiti capital market, protecting investors’ interests, and enhancing its role as a cornerstone in supporting the national economy and achieving Kuwait’s development objectives.”
**A Multi-Asset Financial Market**
Al-Kharafi emphasized that regional crises and fluctuations have not deterred Kuwait Bourse from continuing its ambitious strategy to develop the market’s infrastructure and expand its investment options. The first half saw significant milestone achievements in the market development program.
Al-Kharafi said in this regard: “The launch of the Bonds and Sukuk trading platform in April and the listing of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in June represent a strategic step in the development of the Kuwaiti capital market. This enhances Kuwait Bourse’s transformation from a market primarily focused on equities into a multi-asset financial market, contributing to broadening investment options for a wider base of investors and opening new financing avenues for companies and financial institutions.”
The launch of the fixed-income platform and the listing of ETFs complete the second part of the third phase of the market development program (MD 3.2). This phase also included the implementation of the Central Counterparty (CCP) system and upgrading brokerage firms to the “Qualified Broker” level.
Concluding his remarks, Al-Kharafi said: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend my sincere thanks to our shareholders for their continued trust, and to the executive management and employees for their dedication and commitment. I also thank the Capital Markets Authority and the capital market system for their continuous cooperation and support, and to investors and participants for their confidence. I reaffirm Kuwait Bourse’s commitment to developing a more efficient and transparent financial market that serves the national economy.”
Alongside the financial results, Kuwait Bourse continued during the first half of 2026 to enhance market operational efficiency and implement its strategic priorities, which was reflected in market performance, trading stability, and the continued inflow of institutional and international investments.
**Exceptional Resilience**
For his part, Mohammed Saud Al-Asimi, CEO of Kuwait Bourse, stated: “The Kuwaiti capital market’s positive growth of 0.2% in total return for the General Market Index and its ranking third in the Gulf region embody our operational and regulatory system’s ability to absorb geopolitical shocks with exceptional resilience. This performance sends a clear message of confidence to the investment community regarding the financial strength of listed companies and their firm commitment to creating sustainable value and efficient cash flows, thereby cementing Kuwait Bourse’s position as a robust and reliable investment environment capable of protecting and growing capital amid regional challenges.”
Al-Asimi clarified: “Trading value during the first half reached approximately KD 9.82 billion, with a daily average of KD 84.64 million. These indicators reflect the continuity of market activity and the efficiency of its operational structure despite the complex regional environment. We continue working to enhance liquidity depth and sustainability to support long-term market efficiency.”
He added: “Institutional investors accounted for 70.08% of total market activity during the first half, while international investors’ contribution reached 18.79% of total trading value. This reflects the continued presence of institutional investors and the diversification of the investor base despite regional fluctuations. These indicators confirm the success of the Bourse’s efforts in providing an investment environment characterized by transparency and disclosure efficiency, which supports pricing efficiency and enhances confidence among various investor categories.”
**Sustainable Operational Readiness**
The CEO of Kuwait Bourse stressed that business continuity and the efficiency of technical systems formed the core foundation for ensuring market continuity and protecting investors’ interests during the period of escalating geopolitical tensions. The Bourse maintained full operational readiness for its technical infrastructure, relying on risk management frameworks and stress tests in accordance with international best practices, thereby ensuring efficient trading operations and protecting participants’ rights under exceptional circumstances.
In line with the direct strategy to promote the Kuwaiti capital market and attract foreign investment, Kuwait Bourse continued to strengthen its international investment presence:
* **Presence at Global Forums:** The Bourse continued to enhance communication with the international investment community through its active participation in the fifth HSBC Conference for GCC Stock Exchanges and by organizing the 17th Institutional Day in London, UK, with participation from representatives of listed companies and global financial institutions.
* **Consolidating Institutional Sustainability:** Kuwait Bourse issued its fifth Sustainability Report for 2025, outlining developments in the application of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards in line with global best practices and enhancing sustainable value creation. Additionally, during the first half of 2026, it launched the updated version of the “Guidelines for Preparing Governance, Social, and Environmental Reports” to support listed companies in improving disclosure quality, enhancing transparency, and consolidating sustainability practices in the Kuwaiti capital market.
**Institutional Commitment**
Kuwait Bourse believes that sustainable financial markets are built on solid foundations of trust, transparency, and efficiency, and that continuous development is essential to enhancing its ability to keep pace with investors’ expectations and global market requirements.
Based on this approach, the company continues to work in coordination with the Capital Markets Authority, the Kuwait Clearing Company, and all market system stakeholders to enhance market efficiency and investment depth, and to develop its operational and technical infrastructure according to the highest international standards. Kuwait Bourse also continues to implement its strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the Kuwaiti capital market and supporting its attractiveness to local and international investors, thereby contributing to cementing Kuwait’s position as a regional financial and investment hub and supporting the achievement of Kuwait Vision 2035 objectives.
