Most Middle Eastern stock markets fell on Sunday, with Kuwait’s main index leading losses after S&P Global Ratings cut the government’s credit rating last week.
The Boursa Kuwait Premier Market Price index lost as much as 4.7% before finishing 3.4% lower, with Kuwait Finance House, National Bank of Kuwait and Ahli United Bank dropping more than 4%. Kuwait was downgraded one level to AA-, with S&P maintaining a stable outlook.


Rafael Nadal marries partner of 14 years, Xisca Perello
Rafael Nadal married his childhood sweetheart of 14 years, Xisca Perello, at a castle in Mallorca on Saturday. Nadal,…
15 | the publication reaches you by | Kuwait OnlineLower oil prices in 2020 and 2021 will have negative economic and fiscal implications for Kuwait given its high reliance on exports, the ratings company said.
On top of that, the country has lagged behind the reform momentum seen elsewhere in the region, the statement added.
Kuwait stocks will be added to MSCI Inc.’s emerging-markets benchmark in May. That is expected to trigger inflows from foreign investors. The benchmark tracking large caps in Kuwait is down 27% this year, contrasting with a 32% jump in 2019. It’s the second biggest drop in the Gulf this year after Dubai.
S&P also revised outlooks to negative from stable for several U.A.E. banks, including First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, and said that the coronavirus pandemic could see Dubai property prices falling to levels seen 10 years ago.
MIDDLE EAST MARKETS:
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index climbs 0.8%, after losing as much as 1.1%Saudi Aramco ends unchanged at SAR29.90, while Al Rajhi Bank rises 1.9%READ, March 26: Saudi Arabia’s 2019 Budget Deficit Lower at 130.7B RiyalGauges in Dubai and Abu Dhabi advance 1.3% and 2.9%, respectivelyMORE, March 28: Dubai Announces Economic Incentive Package for its Free ZonesIsrael’s TA-35 retreats 0.9% as of 3:07pm in Tel Aviv, extending losses this month to 21%, the most on recordREAD: Bank of Israel Cuts Capital Requirements, Urges Dividend RethinkIndexes in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Egypt fall as much as 1.9%


Boursa Kuwait announces net profit of KD 5.63 million for the period ended 30 June 2020
Against the backdrop of the unprecedented conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Boursa Kuwait saw a net profit…
6 | the publication reaches you by | Kuwait OnlineKuwait Today Business Subscription
Category: #Business | 2020/03/30 latest update at 10:00 PM
Source : Yahoo | Photocredit : Google