Business

Boursa Kuwait has posted a robust performance for the first quarter of 2025, with net profit soaring 69.48% year-on-year to KD 7.94 million, up from KD 4.68 million in Q1 2024. The impressive results, approved during a Board of Directors meeting on May 1, signal strong momentum for the Kuwaiti exchange as it reinforces its role as a key economic driver.

The exchange attributed its profit growth to a sharp increase in total operating revenues, which climbed 45.34% to KD 12.17 million from KD 8.37 million a year ago. Operating profit also rose by 69.38% to KD 9.45 million, and earnings per share followed suit, increasing from 23.33 fils to 39.54 fils.

Boursa Kuwait Chairman Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi hailed the performance as a milestone achievement, describing it as evidence of the exchange’s resilience and strategic agility. “Despite ongoing global uncertainty and geopolitical headwinds, we achieved significant growth across all key indicators. This performance energizes our drive to further develop the capital market and support Kuwait’s economic vision,” Al-Kharafi said.

Total assets rose by 12.86% to KD 139.47 million as of March 31, 2025, while shareholders’ equity attributable to the parent company increased 9.20% to KD 59.03 million.

Al-Kharafi reaffirmed the company’s commitment to strengthening Kuwait’s capital markets by attracting foreign investment and aligning with international standards. He also expressed gratitude to shareholders, the Capital Markets Authority, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their continued support.

Trading activity witnessed notable growth, with the value of shares traded increasing by 89.60% to KD 6.72 billion in Q1 2025, and share volume jumping 69.07% to 24.29 billion shares. Average daily traded value more than doubled to KD 119.91 million.

Market capitalization climbed 10.85% to KD 47.79 billion, with the “Premier” Market contributing significantly. The flagship segment saw its market cap rise by 9.50% to KD 39.44 billion, alongside a 28.93% increase in traded value to KD 3.30 billion. The “Main” Market demonstrated even greater momentum, with traded value surging 247.10% to KD 3.42 billion and market cap expanding by 17.69% to KD 8.35 billion.

Boursa Kuwait CEO Mohammad Saud Al-Osaimi highlighted the exchange’s growing appeal to investors and the strength of its market segmentation model. “The Kuwaiti capital market has become a more balanced and transparent environment, enhancing liquidity and drawing institutional participation, which now accounts for 66% of all market activity,” he noted.

Al-Osaimi emphasized the success of market makers in improving liquidity, with their traded value increasing 25.53% year-on-year. He added that Boursa Kuwait remains focused on international outreach, conducting roadshows and strategic engagements to attract global institutional investors.

Looking ahead, Al-Osaimi expressed optimism for sustained growth, reinforcing Boursa Kuwait’s strategic mission to boost market efficiency and contribute meaningfully to Kuwait’s economic development.

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