Stock market in Kuwait concludes with mixed outcomes, volatility persisting throughout trading sessions
The Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) experienced a volatile yet positive trading session on Wednesday, with approximately 133 stocks traded during the day. The market was characterised by strong upward momentum in small and mid-cap stocks, robust sector index performances, and is underpinned by structural reforms aimed at sustaining growth and diversification.
The Kuwait All Share Index, which represents the performance of all traded stocks on the KSE, gained about 4.2% in June 2025, with year-to-date (YTD) gains reaching 14.8%. Over the past month to late July 2025, the index further climbed around 6.8%, with a YTD increase surpassing 20%.
Small and mid-cap stocks, notably in the Premier Market segment, saw strong performances. For instance, Mezzan Holding, a mid-sized company, surged 10% in June 2025 following positive developments. Insider buying activity in banks like Kuwait International Bank (KIB) and Burgan Bank also signaled confidence, with shares up 15.9% and 8.7% respectively that month.
Sector-wise, consumer staples and real estate were the best performers in June 2025, rising by 9.1% and 7.7% respectively. The banking sector index was also robust, increasing by 6.2%, driven by large banks including Warba Bank and Gulf Bank gaining amid merger discussions.
On a regional scale, Kuwait’s market was the best performing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market in H1 2025, rising 17% and dominating GCC’s top 30 gainers count with 15 companies.
The market was further supported by major capital market reforms implemented in mid-2025, including enhanced clearing systems, brokerage upgrades, and infrastructure preparations for ETFs and fixed-income products. These reforms are aimed at increasing transparency, liquidity, and attracting foreign and domestic investments.
Notable stock movements during the session included Meydan, which advanced by 7.15 percent and closed at 749 fils, and Warba Bank, which traded 6.1 million dinars and closed at 287 fils. However, Al Rabita fell 6.13 percent and closed at 58.2 fils, while Mawashi declined 10.29 percent and closed at 122 fils.
Investors showed renewed interest in small and medium stocks, with Kuwait Finance House leading trading with 8.9 million dinars and closing at 803 fils per share. Trading liquidity dropped below 100 million dinars, totaling 90.8 million dinars.
In the broader market, the Main Market index declined by 12.39 points, or 0.16 percent, ending at 7,586 points. The General Market index added 9.10 points, or 0.11 percent, closing at 8,613 points. The Premier Market index rose by 14.92 points, or 0.16 percent, to close at 9,295 points.
The session also saw seven sector indices increase, while six sectors declined. The healthcare sector rose by 4.33 percent, while the technology sector fell by 5.02 percent. Notable gains were seen in Nakheel, which increased by 28.41 percent and closed at 339 fils, and Argan, which climbed 13.21 percent and closed at 120 fils.
However, Gulf T fell 12.99 percent and closed at 931 fils, and Imtiyazat dropped 8.26 percent and closed at 200 fils. Warba Capital traded 4.1 million dinars and closed at 851 fils.
In summary, Kuwait's stock market in 2025 has been characterised by strong upward momentum in small and mid-cap stocks, robust sector index performances especially in consumer staples, real estate, and banking, and is underpinned by structural reforms aimed at sustaining growth and diversification. The overall outlook remains cautiously optimistic but subject to geopolitical developments and global market conditions.
- The overall outlook for Kuwait's stock market in 2025 remains cautiously optimistic, as it is underpinned by structural reforms aimed at attracting foreign and domestic investments, increasing transparency, and enhancing liquidity in the business sector. [industry, finance, investing, business, personal-finance]
- Small and mid-cap stocks, particularly in the Premier Market segment, have been the standout performers in the Kuwait Stock Exchange, with notable gains seen in companies like Mezzan Holding and Kuwait Finance House. [stock-market, industry, finance, investing]
- The banking sector, including large banks such as Warba Bank and Gulf Bank, has performed robustly, with gains driven by merger discussions, insider buying activity, and positive developments in the sector. [stock-market, finance, business, personal-finance]
