Kuwait Stock Exchange gains 872 million dinars by end of August
- Liquidity grew by 10.87 percent, reaching KD 1.776 billion
- The Main Market captured the largest share of gains, amounting to KD 491 million
- The recovery in liquidity during the last session coincided with Morgan Stanley’s review
The market capitalization of companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange rose by the end of last August, recording gains of approximately KD 872 million, equivalent to 1.6 percent, to reach KD 53.287 billion, compared to KD 52.415 billion at the end of July. This increase was supported by easing geopolitical tensions and a package of economic stimuli, including the announcement of positive financial results for listed companies and government projects that bolstered investor confidence.
The Main Market accounted for the largest share of the gains, achieving profits of KD 491 million with a growth of 5.57 percent, rising from KD 8.81 billion at the end of July to KD 9.301 billion at the end of August. Meanwhile, the First Market rose by 0.87 percent, adding KD 381 million to reach KD 43.986 billion, compared to KD 43.605 billion.
Key indices recorded collective gains during August. The General Index rose by 1.607 percent, amounting to 140.72 points, compared to its levels at the end of July. The First Market Index climbed by 0.79 percent, or approximately 72.82 points. The "Main 50" Index rose by 9.33 percent, or approximately 938.95 points, while the Main Market Index grew by 5.65 percent, amounting to 493.91 points.
Liquidity on the exchange in August increased by 10.87 percent to KD 1.776 billion, compared to KD 1.602 billion in July. Trading volumes rose to 6.548 billion shares, and the number of transactions reached 459,280.
Amid these increases, the exchange surpassed its pre-open war levels in the region since February 28, by a value of KD 2.089 billion, representing a 4.08 percent increase compared to the session on February 24, when it stood at KD 51.198 billion. The First Market achieved gains of KD 1.236 billion, or 15.3 percent, after standing at KD 8.065 billion at the end of February. Additionally, the "First Market" increased by 1.97 percent, adding KD 853 million, compared to KD 43.133 billion.
The positive performance of the "Kuwait Stock Exchange" in August was driven by several investment stimuli and encouraging factors, including enhanced trader confidence due to the de-escalation of military tensions between the US and Iran. It also coincided with the release of the half-yearly review of "FTSE Russell" indices, which added four shares to the very small-cap list, while removing three from the same list, with changes taking effect upon the closure of the session on August 31.
Furthermore, trading was bolstered by the positive reversal of government project tenders, with the announcement that 22 consortia qualified to compete for three projects for the Public Authority for Housing Welfare among participating listed companies. This was accompanied by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation signing the largest lease and sublease deal for a pipeline network, activity in bank sukuk issuances, and the announcement of positive financial statements for listed companies and interim distributions. Consequently, profits of listed companies rose by 7.94 percent in the first half of 2026 to KD 1.36 billion, and their assets increased to KD 190.14 billion.
Key indices of the "Kuwait Stock Exchange" concluded trading yesterday, Monday, with a collective decline amid a recovery in liquidity, coinciding with the execution of the "Morgan Stanley" index review upon the closure of trading yesterday. The "First Market" fell by 0.2 percent, the General Index by 0.16 percent, the Main Market by 0.01 percent, and the "Main 50" by 0.02 percent.
Liquidity rose 40.4 percent in yesterday’s session to 120.699 million dinars, compared with 85.94 million dinars, while trading volumes increased 16.2 percent to 391.02 million shares, up from 336.52 million shares. The number of trades also rose 10.2 percent to 26,120, compared with 23,700 in the previous session. The session was weighed down by declines in eight sectors, led by healthcare, which fell 2.96 percent, while five sectors advanced, headed by insurance, which rose 2.86 percent.
