
Boursa Kuwait Concludes Sponsorship of the CFA Institute Research Challenge, Promoting Financial Knowledge
Mr. Ankul Aggarwal – Partner and Head of Deal Advisory, KPMG
The competition showcased a high level of academic and analytical performance, with Kuwait University's team securing first place, while the American University of the Middle East (AUM) placed second. The winning team from Kuwait University comprised:Khalid Al-EisaHilal Al-MutairiAbdulwahab Al-JasmiShahad Al-FahadThe team was mentored by Dr. Abdullah Al-Awadhi, Assistant Professor of Finance and Financial Institutions at Kuwait University's College of Business Administration. As the faculty advisor, Dr. Al-Awadhi oversaw student selection, served as the main liaison with CFA Society Kuwait, reviewed research and presentations, and provided feedback without influencing students' decisions or changing written materials.In his remarks to the competition's graduates, Mr. Naser M. Al-Sanousi, Senior Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications at Boursa Kuwait, stated: 'Today, we celebrate months of dedication, research, and meticulous financial analysis. We honour the achievements of ambitious young minds whose contributions will undoubtedly shape the future of Kuwait's financial sector.'Al-Sanousi added: 'I extend my sincere appreciation to the CFA Society Kuwait and the CFA Institute for their continuous commitment to promoting financial literacy in the next generation of financial professionals. Boursa Kuwait values its partnership with the institute and society and remains committed to shaping the future of capital markets by equipping the community with financial knowledge, technical expertise, and the confidence needed to succeed in the financial sector.'Boursa Kuwait's strategic partnership with CFA Society Kuwait and the CFA Institute is a key component of its efforts to make a meaningful impact on the communities in which it operates. This aligns with the bourse corporate sustainability strategy, its commitment to initiatives that cultivate a knowledgeable, skilled, and future-ready generation, and its broader goal of enhancing financial awareness and expertise within Kuwaiti society. This initiative also supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).From her side, Ms. Aminah Abotalaf, President and Chair of Advocacy Committee of CFA Society Kuwait, commented: 'This competition is more than an academic challenge; it is a real-world experience that reflects the realities of the investment sector. The students' commitment to research and analysis demonstrates an impressive level of dedication and ambition, which we strive to instil through such initiatives. We extend our gratitude to Boursa Kuwait for its valuable partnership and unwavering support in nurturing young talent in the financial sector. We look forward to seeing these students achieve remarkable milestones in their careers.'Boursa Kuwait signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CFA Society Kuwait in October 2018, aimed at providing informative and educational content on investment fundamentals through Boursa Academy Online, a digital learning platform developed by Boursa Kuwait, to enhance financial knowledge among new and experienced investors.The agreement enables both organizations to leverage their expertise in financial services and offer accessible educational content to individuals seeking to expand their investment knowledge. This includes resources to help investors assess opportunities and make more informed financial decisions, such as a financial glossary, definitions of financial instruments, guidance on financial planning, an introduction to investment strategies and methods, and various educational materials.Mr. Ahmed F. Al-Falah, Managing Director – Investment Banking at Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) and a member of the judging panel, emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating: 'At Markaz, we are committed to participating in initiatives that encourage young talent, test their academic capabilities, and allow them to explore their potential as they embark on their careers in investment. It was inspiring to see some students we have previously supported at Markaz now presenting their insights with confidence and expertise.'Boursa Kuwait's corporate sustainability strategy is designed to ensure that all initiatives align with the company's corporate social responsibility governance framework, industry best practices, and investor expectations. The strategy also emphasizes the establishment of strong and sustainable partnerships that contribute to Boursa Kuwait's success, allowing the company to leverage the expertise and strengths of other organizations and institutions across various fields. Additionally, it seeks to integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts into the company's culture, ensuring long-term sustainability and a lasting impact embedded within its daily operations.
As part of this strategy, Boursa Kuwait has launched multiple initiatives in collaboration with local and international organizations, with a particular focus on supporting NGOs and charitable programs, promoting financial literacy and capital market awareness, empowering women, and protecting the environment.
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Al Bawaba
06-08-2025
- Al Bawaba
KIB delivers a workshop on the fundamentals of investment and real estate appraisal at Kuwait University for the third consecutive year
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Al Bawaba
29-07-2025
- Al Bawaba
Boursa Kuwait sees a 61.12% surge in its net profit for the first half of 2025
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Operating profit also saw a significant boost, rising 59.53% from KD 11.58 million to KD 18.47 million, while earnings per share increased 61.12% from 46.71 fils in the first half of 2024 to 75.27 fils for the period ended June 30, Group's total assets came in at KD 123.87 million as of June 30, 2025, which is a 9.26% increase over its KD 113.37 million total in 2024, while shareholders' equity attributable to equity holders of the parent company increased from KD 58.75 million as of June 30, 2024, to KD 66.20 million as of June 30, 2025, an increase of 12.68%.Boursa Kuwait's financial results for the first half of 2025 serve as a clear indicator of the company's strong financial position and the effectiveness of its operational strategies.'These results reaffirm Boursa Kuwait's capacity to navigate the complex geopolitical and economic challenges experienced worldwide while maintaining sustainable growth supported by revenue diversification and enhanced liquidity levels, which strengthens confidence in the exchange's operational efficiency and long-term resilience,' said Boursa Kuwait Chairman Mr. Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi.'This growth marks a significant milestone in our journey, giving us greater momentum to advance our development plans to modernize market infrastructure, diversify investment instruments and strengthen its appeal to both local and international investors. It also reinforces Boursa Kuwait's position as a key driver of economic growth and a major contributor to the state's vision of becoming a competitive financial and investment hub in the region, capable of attracting strategic and long-term capital from around the world,' he pave the way for Part Two of Phase Three of the Market Development Program, the Kuwaiti capital market apparatus has undertaken major enhancements to restructure its regulatory and operational infrastructure. Officially rolled out earlier this month, the phase reflects the close collaboration between Boursa Kuwait, the Capital Markets Authority, the Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait Clearing Company, local banks and investment and brokerage firms as well as their collective efforts to advance the development and sustainability of the Kuwaiti capital market and the national stressed that this achievement is the direct result of seamless collaboration across the capital market apparatus and a shared determination to create tangible value for investors, stating that Boursa Kuwait remains committed to accelerating growth and delivering transformative milestones that secure the long-term sustainability of the national economy, working closely with all stakeholders in the Kuwaiti capital market apparatus.'This breakthrough underscores the private sector's agility and effectiveness in advancing development and forging impactful partnerships with the public sector, further cementing Kuwait's position as a confident and rising regional financial hub,' he Boursa Kuwait Chairman concluded his statement, saying: 'On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express my gratitude to our shareholders for their continued trust in the company and to executive management and employees for their unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence. I would also like to thank the Capital Markets Authority and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their ongoing support and collaboration, which have contributed to strengthening market stability and raising its standards.'My appreciation also goes to the investors, traders and market participants for their sustained confidence in Boursa Kuwait, reaffirming our commitment to deliver a superlative investment experience and working closely with the capital market apparatus to deliver greater milestones in the future,' he Kuwaiti capital market continued its upward trajectory in the first half of 2025, with traded value soaring by 90.39% from KD 6.63 billion in the first half of 2024 to KD 12.63 billion in the corresponding period in 2025, while traded volume rose by 82.95% from 27.03 billion shares to 49.45 billion shares. Meanwhile, average daily traded value increased by 95.31% from KD 55.73 million during the period ended June 30, 2024, to KD 108.85 million in the period ended June 30, 2025. Additionally, market capitalization reached KD 50.53 billion, marking a 23.20% increase from the total of KD 41.02 billion recorded during the first half of 'Premier' Market was a key driver of market activity, with value traded increasing 47.09% from its total of KD 4.99 billion in the first half of 2024 to KD 7.34 billion in the first half of 2025, with approximately 20.21 billion shares traded in the first half of 2025, an increase of 40.98% over the 14.34 billion shares traded in the period ended June 30, 2024. Meanwhile, the market capitalization in Boursa Kuwait's flagship market increased by 24.45% from KD 33.97 billion to KD 42.27 billion in the period ended June 30, 'Main' Market also played a significant role in enhancing overall market liquidity, as traded value increased by 221.36% from KD 1.65 billion to KD 5.29 billion in the first half of 2025, while trading volume increased from 12.69 billion shares in the first half of 2024 to 28.60 billion shares in the first half of 2025, an increase of 125.38%. Market capitalization, meanwhile, rose by 17.20% from KD 7.05 billion in the period ended June 30, 2024, to KD 8.27 billion in the period ended June 30, Kuwait's Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mohammad Saud Al-Osaimi praised the Kuwaiti capital market's performance during the first half of 2025, emphasizing that these results are an indication of the positive response to the operational and regulatory enhancements in the Kuwaiti capital market, noting Boursa Kuwait's commitment to developing a balanced and efficient investment environment that serves investors of all asset classes.'These positive indicators showcase the robustness of the Kuwaiti capital market's regulatory framework and our continued efforts to enhance infrastructure, diversify products and elevate the investor experience, further strengthening Boursa Kuwait's position as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth that meets the standards of investors across all segments,' he added.'The segmentation of the market plays a pivotal role in structuring trading activities to meet liquidity needs and accommodate a diverse investor base. The 'Premier' Market has maintained stable trading values, while the 'Main' Market has shown remarkable activity, reflecting heightened interest and interaction with the investment opportunities it offers,' he part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the Kuwaiti capital market's global presence, Boursa Kuwait organized a series of roadshows and corporate days targeting the international investment community in collaboration with Kuwait Clearing Company. These included a virtual roadshow for asset managers in Asia in collaboration with HSBC, as well as an in-person roadshow in London in collaboration with Jefferies Financial Group. 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Boursa Kuwait also self-listed in September 2020 and has made great strides in sustaining its operations and business continuity in the face of uncertainties and challenges. The company has rolled out numerous market reforms and new initiatives as part of its comprehensive multi-phase market development (MD) plans and showcases some of the standout listed companies and the investment opportunities that reside in the Kuwaiti capital market through its series of Roadshows and Corporate Days, putting these companies in touch with some of the world's leading investment firms and financial institutions and highlighting their financial health and business strategies and outlooks, to help investors gain an in-depth understanding of the benefits and opportunities of investing in Kuwaiti companies.


Al Bawaba
13-07-2025
- Al Bawaba
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Led by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and in collaboration with the Central Bank of Kuwait, local banks, investment firms and brokerage companies, Boursa Kuwait and the Kuwait Clearing Company (KCC) delivered a variety of transformative products, services and infrastructure enhancements, including the introduction of the Central Counterparty (CCP) framework, which reduces risks and provides guarantees to advance clearing and settlement processes in line with international the other enhancements are cash settlements through local banks and the Central Bank of Kuwait's KASSIP system; the upgrade of brokerage firms' operating models to 'Qualified Broker' status, marking a significant step forward in market structure; and the introduction of sub-account numbers under omnibus accounts, which will strengthen transparency and addition, the technical environment and IT infrastructure have been fully prepared and upgraded, with comprehensive testing conducted with all relevant parties in preparation for the listing and trading of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and fixed-income instruments, including bonds and sukuk. Legislative updates for these products are expected to be introduced milestone represents one of the most significant transformations in the market's history since the privatization of Kuwait's stock exchange. It aims to reshape the regulatory and operational infrastructure of the market, paving the way for the introduction of new instruments and investment products that will deepen market liquidity, enhance its breadth and reinforce its role as a strategic driver of national economic on this achievement, Boursa Kuwait Chairman Mr. Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi affirmed that these developments represent a pivotal milestone in the continued advancement of Kuwait's capital market, reinforcing its position and competitiveness on both regional and international levels. He highlighted that this achievement also reflects Boursa Kuwait's steadfast commitment to supporting the State's ambitious vision of establishing Kuwait as a leading regional financial center that attracts investment, while working in close partnership with all stakeholders to implement a comprehensive strategic roadmap that accelerates market development and enhances its contribution to national economic growth.'We greatly value the remarkable efforts that have driven the various phases of the Market Development Program for Kuwait's capital market, a reflection of the power of constructive cooperation between the public and private sectors, which stands as a national model for realizing economic objectives and development ambitions rooted in innovation and professionalism," Al-Kharafi said."This collaboration has played a vital role in advancing market infrastructure and introducing sophisticated products and services that promote a more transparent and dynamic investment environment. These efforts are essential to attracting capital, generating added value for the national economy, and supporting the diversification of income sources,' he concluded by extending his sincere thanks to all parties who contributed to this achievement, saying: 'I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Central Bank of Kuwait, the Capital Markets Authority, and Kuwait Clearing Company for their continued support, which has played a vital role in strengthening market stability and enhancing its standards of transparency and governance. I also commend the cooperation of our partners in the financial sector, who remain a cornerstone in the ongoing development of Kuwait's capital market. Boursa Kuwait remains committed to providing an exceptional investment experience for all market participants and continuing the joint efforts to reinforce Kuwait's position as a leading financial hub in the region.'Boursa Kuwait led the efforts to prepare the market's infrastructure for the launch of this latest phase, which represents a significant operational milestone for the bourse and the capital market apparatus. The exchange was instrumental in implementing the technical framework in MD 3.2, as it continued upgrading the trading system, which will support the introduction of new products, strengthen market integration, and lay the foundation for future offerings such as derivatives. The upgrades also highlight the market's readiness to broaden its range of investment instruments and align its regulatory framework with world-class standards."The launch of this phase reflects our unwavering commitment to developing an advanced, efficient trading environment that meets the highest international standards," stated Boursa Kuwait's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mohammed Saud Al-Osaimi. "It is the product of close collaboration across the capital market apparatus and represents a key step in expanding the depth, transparency and resilience of Kuwait's capital market.''Alongside the enhanced capacity of our technical systems to introduce advanced financial instruments, MD 3.2 represents a major milestone in Boursa Kuwait's efforts to build a more diverse, robust and efficient financial market, underscoring our readiness to advance to the next stage once the relevant rules and regulations are in place, enabling both the public and private sectors to utilize flexible, effective financing solutions that drive sustainable economic growth,' he concluded his statement by saying, 'We take great pride in our ability to translate our strategic vision into tangible operational achievements that demonstrate the strong collaboration and alignment of roles across all components of our capital market. Boursa Kuwait remains committed to working closely with our partners at the Central Bank of Kuwait, the Capital Markets Authority, Kuwait Clearing Company and all stakeholders in the financial sector to further enhance market readiness, attract greater domestic and foreign capital and solidify Kuwait's position as a leading financial center in the region.'The launch of MD 3.2 marks a significant step in strengthening Kuwait's capital market and reinforcing its position as a leading financial hub regionally and internationally. It builds on a comprehensive reform journey aimed at broadening the range of investment products, improving the efficiency of the operational infrastructure and applying the highest standards of governance and transparency to meet investor expectations and enhance the appeal of the Kuwaiti capital milestone reflects the successful realization of a strategic vision to build a resilient, secure and transparent capital market that enables issuers to access diverse financing tools and provides investors with more stable and varied opportunities. The capital market apparatus remains committed to advancing infrastructure development and enhancing the investment environment, contributing to the national economy, advancing the UN's sustainable development goals and solidifying Kuwait's position as a pioneering financial center in the region and a destination of choice for capital from across the globe.