KSE upgrades four companies worth 1.1 billion dinars to Premier Market
The Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) has promoted four listed companies from the Main Market to the Premier Market following its annual review of index components.
The companies are International Financial Advisors Holding (IFA), United Real Estate, Combined Group Contracting, and First Fuel.
Based on yesterday’s closing prices, their combined market capitalization stands at approximately 1.1 billion dinars, placing them firmly on the radar of foreign investors, reports Al-Rai daily.
The review also resulted in the transfer of 16 companies from the General Main Market to the Main 50 Index, after meeting the required criteria. These include Financial Centre, Al Madar Holding, Al Deera Holding, Iktitab Holding, Kuwaiti Emirates, Wethaq Takaful Insurance, Arkan Kuwait Real Estate, Al Arjan Real Estate, Real Estate Trade Centers, Synergy Holding, National Cleaning, Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport, Privatization Holding, Al Nakheel Agricultural Production, Mashaer Holding, and Digital Group.
At the same time, 16 companies exited the Main 50 Index. This includes the four firms promoted to the Premier Market, as well as companies that left the exchange due to liquidation, such as ALAFCO and Arabi Group, or were suspended or failed to meet index requirements. Among those exiting are Al Sahel Investment, Bayan Investment Holding, KFIC Investment, Al Oula Takaful Insurance, Al Enma, Kuwait Cement, Ooredoo, Burgan Drilling, Kuwaiti Parks, and Future Child.
The changes are scheduled to take effect from Sunday, February 8. With the inclusion of the four newly promoted companies, the market value of the Premier Market is expected to rise to around 44.6 billion dinars.
The review was conducted by KSE’s technical teams in accordance with established standards based on trading activity, market capitalization, and share liquidity. No Premier Market company was found to be in breach of ongoing compliance requirements.
Should any company fail to maintain the required standards, it would be downgraded to the Main 50, with a one-year grace period to rectify its position while remaining in the Premier Market.
The exchange noted that companies achieving the highest trading activity during 2025 were among those upgraded. Promotion from the Main 50 to the Premier Market is widely viewed as a positive development, enhancing a company’s visibility and attractiveness, particularly to foreign investors.
Meanwhile, trading on the Kuwait Stock Exchange on Sunday was modest. The Premier Market Index fell by 54.08 points, the Main 50 Index declined by 26.27 points, and the General Main Market Index dropped by 27.85 points, while the Overall Index closed down 47.06 points.
