Kuwait Stock Exchange reports 13.74 million dinars in profits in the first half of 2026
- Achieved an operating profit of KD 17.11 million and earnings per share of 68.42 fils
- Badr Al-Kharafi: “Kuwait Stock Exchange” is the best-performing in the region; recovery of second-quarter profits confirms business resilience in the face of challenges
- Our strategy is yielding results in the transformation into a multi-asset market through the bonds and sukuk trading platform and the listing of exchange-traded funds
- Mohammed Al-Asimi: The positive growth in the total return of the general market index embodies the ability to absorb geopolitical shocks
- Trading volume reached KD 9.82 billion, with investment institutions holding 70.08% and international investors accounting for 18.79%
Kuwait Securities Bourse Company announced its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, following a meeting of its Board of Directors held last Thursday, recording a net profit of KD 13.74 million.
The company recorded total operating revenues of KD 23.39 million in the first half of 2026, while operating profit stood at KD 17.11 million, with earnings per share reaching 68.42 fils. The strength of the company’s financial position was also 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, Badr Nasser Al-Kharafi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kuwait Stock Exchange, stated: “Kuwait Stock Exchange began 2026 amid a regional environment characterized by escalating geopolitical challenges and their impact on the broader economic landscape. Despite the pressures affecting first-quarter performance, including the precautionary suspension of trading in early March to protect the market and participants, Kuwait Stock Exchange demonstrated a high capacity for adaptation and regained growth momentum in the second quarter, with both operating revenues and net profit returning to a growth trajectory compared to the same period in 2025.”
This financial trajectory confirms 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 the recovery of second-quarter results.
Al-Kharafi added: “These results confirm that Kuwait Stock Exchange is the best-performing in the region, and the recovery of second-quarter profits demonstrates the robustness and resilience of our business model in dealing with economic and regional changes. This performance is built on diversified revenue sources, 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 further 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.”
Al-Kharafi emphasized that regional crises and fluctuations have not deterred Kuwait Stock Exchange from continuing its ambitious strategy to develop the market’s infrastructure and expand its investment options. The first half saw landmark milestones in the market development program.
He said: “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. They enhance Kuwait Stock Exchange’s transformation from a market primarily focused on equities into a multi-asset financial market, thereby expanding investment options for a broader base of investors and opening new financing avenues for companies and financial institutions.”
The launch of the Fixed Income Platform and the listing of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) completed the second part of Phase 3 of the Market Development Program (MD 3.2). This phase also included the implementation of the Central Counterparty (CCP) system and the upgrading of brokerage firms to the status of “Qualified Broker.”
Al-Kharafi stated, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend my sincere gratitude to our shareholders for their continued trust, and to the executive management and staff of the company for their dedication and commitment. I also thank the Capital Markets Authority and the capital market ecosystem for their continuous cooperation and support, and to investors and market participants for their confidence. I reaffirm Kuwait Bourse’s ongoing commitment to developing a more efficient and transparent financial market that serves the national economy.”
Alongside its 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.
The Kuwaiti capital market demonstrated a high capacity to maintain its stability and operational efficiency during the first half, overcoming regional geopolitical tensions and oil price fluctuations that had affected investor sentiment.
The market emerged as one of the most stable in the region, ranking third in the Gulf in terms of total return performance of the General Market Index (after Muscat Securities Market and Saudi Exchange). Kuwait Bourse succeeded in being among only three Gulf markets to achieve positive returns during the first half, recording a growth of 0.2% in total return, which reflects the actual value achieved by shareholders through price performance and sustainable cash dividends, while other regional markets experienced varying degrees of decline.
Indices have gained particular importance amid the sensitivity of the regional environment and supply chain disruptions, underscoring the financial strength of listed companies and the efficiency of the market system across its operational and regulatory components, as well as its ability to sustain activity under the most difficult conditions.
For his part, Kuwait Bourse CEO Mohammed Saud Al-Asimi said, “The Kuwaiti capital market’s recording of a positive 0.2% growth in the total return of the General Market Index and its ranking third in the Gulf exemplifies the capacity of our operational and regulatory system to absorb geopolitical shocks with exceptional flexibility. 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 actual cash flows, thereby consolidating Kuwait Bourse’s position as a solid and reliable investment environment capable of protecting and growing capital amid regional challenges.”
Kuwait Bourse maintained stable liquidity levels and regular trading operations during the first half, supported by the continuous development of the market’s operational infrastructure. This contributed to containing the impact of regional challenges on trading activity and ensuring the efficiency of liquidity flow.
The total value of traded shares reached KD 9.82 billion during the first half, with the average daily trading value (ADTV) stabilizing at KD 84.64 million, and the total market capitalization reaching KD 52.16 billion by the end of the period.
Al-Asimi added, “Trading volume during the first half reached approximately KD 9.82 billion, with an average daily trading value of KD 84.64 million. These indicators reflect the continuity of market activity and the efficiency of its operational infrastructure despite the complex regional environment. We continue to work on enhancing the depth and sustainability of liquidity to support market efficiency in the long term.”
During the first half of the year, the Kuwait Stock Exchange continued to strengthen its market structure and diversify its investor base by attracting high-quality listings in the “First Market” and developing the investment environment, which contributed to maintaining market balance and sustaining trading activity despite regional challenges.
According to trading structure by investor type, institutional investors accounted for the largest share, representing 70.08% of total market activity, while individual investors accounted for 29.92%. Geographically, international investors (including citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries) held an 18.79% share of total trading value, compared to 81.21% for local investors.
Al-Asimi emphasized the strategic importance of these data, stating, “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 volatility. These indicators confirm the Exchange’s success in providing an investment environment characterized by transparency and disclosure efficiency, thereby supporting pricing efficiency and enhancing the confidence of various investor segments.”
Regarding sustainable operational readiness and strengthening international investment presence, Al-Asimi stressed that business continuity and technical system efficiency formed the cornerstone for ensuring market continuity and protecting investors’ interests during a period of escalating geopolitical tensions. The Exchange maintained full operational readiness of its technical infrastructure, relying on risk management frameworks and stress tests aligned with international best practices, thereby ensuring efficient trading operations and safeguarding participants’ rights under exceptional circumstances.
As part of the direct strategy to promote the Kuwaiti capital market and attract foreign investment, the Exchange continued to enhance communication with the international investment community and its presence at global forums. This included its active participation in the fifth HSBC Conference of Gulf Stock Exchanges, and organizing the 17th Institutional Day in London, the UK’s capital, with participation from representatives of listed companies and global financial institutions.
The Kuwait Stock Exchange issued its fifth Sustainability Report for 2025, outlining developments in the implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards in line with global best practices and aimed at enhancing sustainable value creation. Additionally, during the first half of 2026, it launched the updated version of the “Guide for Preparing Governance, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Reports” to support listed companies in improving disclosure quality, enhancing transparency, and consolidating sustainability practices in the Kuwaiti capital market.
The Kuwait Stock Exchange believes that sustainable financial markets are built on solid pillars of trust, transparency, and efficiency, and that continuous development is essential to enhancing the market’s capacity to meet investors’ expectations and global market requirements. Guided by this approach, the company continues to work in coordination with the Capital Markets Authority, the Kuwait Clearing Company, and all stakeholders in the market ecosystem to enhance market efficiency and investment depth, and to develop its operational and technical infrastructure according to the highest international standards.
