Kuwait has witnessed the highest turnover ratio in the Gulf Cooperation Council since 2013, at 18 per cent. The decision to include the country under the secondary emerging markets category from 2018 by FTSE was the key contributor to this rise in liquidity.
The tally of GCC countries under secondary emerging markets increased to three. Proactive measures taken by Boursa Kuwait in improving its trade settlement cycle, management of failed trades, improvement of custodial services and boosting of market liquidity led to Kuwait’s inclusion.
The country witnessed a rise of 2 per cent in net earnings in H1 2017, with financial services, commodities and real estate increasing by 269 per cent, 20 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. Telecoms and construction were the major sectors that declined, down by 34 per cent each.
TOP 10 COMPANIES IN KUWAIT
(By market capitalisation as of October 11, 2017. Source: Reuters Eikon, Markaz Research)
1. National Bank of Kuwait
Market capitalisation: $15.32bn
Sector: Banking and investment services
2. Kuwait Finance House
Market capitalisation $11.42bn
Sector: Banking and investment services
3. Mobile Telecommunications Company
Market capitalisation $7.35bn
Sector: Telecommunications services
4. Agility Public Warehousing Co
Market capitalisation $3.66bn
Sector: Transportation
5. Boubyan Bank
Market capitalisation $3.40bn
Sector: Banking and investment services
6. Kuwait Food Company
Market capitalisation $2.64bn
Sector: Cyclical consumer services
7. Ahli United Bank
Market capitalisation $2.57bn
Sector: Banking and investment services
8. Gulf Bank
Market capitalisation $2.55bn
Sector: Banking and investment services
9. Burgan Bank
Market capitalisation $2.54bn
Sector: Banking and investment services
10. Mabanee Company
Market capitalisation $2.47bn
Sector: Real estate
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