Kuwait Stock Exchange liquidity jumps 42.8% to hit KD 14.833 billion

• The daily average trading value on Kuwait Stock Exchange in 2024 increased by about 39.4%, reaching about KD 59.8 million compared to KD 42.9 million in 2023.

• The general index of the Kuwait Stock Exchange exhibited a positive performance at the end of 2024, rising to 7,362.5 points—a rise of about 545.3 points or 8.0% compared to 6,817.3 points at the end of 2023.

A specialized economic report revealed that the liquidity of the Kuwait Stock Exchange surged by 42.8% in 2024, reaching approximately KD 14.833 billion ($45.24 billion), up from KD 10.386 billion ($31.68 billion) in 2023.

The Al-Shall Consulting report, issued on Saturday, stated that the stock turnover rate of companies listed on the stock exchange rose from 25.7% in 2023 to approximately 33.7% in 2024.

It highlighted that the daily average trading value increased by about 39.4%, reaching approximately KWD 59.8 million ($182.3 million), compared to KWD 42.9 million ($130.8 million) in 2023.

The report also noted that the general index of the Kuwait Stock Exchange exhibited a positive performance at the end of 2024, rising to 7,362.5 points—an increase of about 545.3 points or 8.0% compared to 6,817.3 points at the end of 2023.

It added, “The highest index reading in 2024 was recorded on March 13, reaching 7,473.6 points, while the lowest reading was observed on April 17, at 6,910.1 points.”

The report stated that the capital value of listed companies at the end of the year reached approximately KD 43.5 billion. When compared to the end of 2023, this represents an increase of about 3.2 billion dinars (about KD 9.7 billion), or approximately 8.0%.

It noted that the market value of 112 companies increased, while 30 companies experienced varying declines, and the value of one company remained unchanged.

The report highlighted that the banking sector recorded the largest absolute increase in value, amounting to approximately KD 2.19 billion, followed by the financial services sector with an increase of about KD 1.18 billion dinars (about $3.5 billion). In contrast, the industrial sector registered the largest decrease in value, declining by approximately KD 613.9 million (about $1.8 billion).

The report emphasized that the banking sector remains the dominant sector, contributing approximately 61.1% of the capital value of stock exchange companies and accounting for about 32.9% of the total stock exchange liquidity.

The financial services sector contributed about 11.3% to the capital value and approximately 30.1% to the stock exchange liquidity, indicating that its liquidity contribution was 2.7 times its contribution to capital value, reflecting a significant increase in its liquidity level.

Additionally, the telecommunications sector ranked as the third-largest contributor, accounting for approximately 7.1% of the capital value of stock exchange companies and 3.4% of its liquidity.

The report highlighted that 113 out of 138 companies that announced their financial statements were profitable. These profitable companies generated approximately KD 2.16 billion dinars (about $6.5 billion), from which about KD 41.9 million (about $127.7 million) were deducted, representing the share of losses incurred by 25 companies.

It noted that the banking sector accounted for approximately 58.6% of the total profits of the stock exchange, followed by the financial services sector with around 11.5%. The remaining 29.9% of total profits were distributed across 11 of the 13 active sectors.

The Kuwait Stock Exchange Company, established in April 2014, is responsible for managing stock market operations in Kuwait.

Since 2016, Boursa Kuwait has been instrumental in driving communication, growth, and innovation within the stock market. It has also provided support to the Capital Markets Authority, issuers, investors, and other stakeholders.

Additionally, Boursa Kuwait has played a pivotal role in developing the Kuwaiti stock market and diversifying the national economy, aligning with the objectives of the New Kuwait Vision 2035.