As-Salaam Alaikum - GCC markets post second straight monthly rise, MSCI GCC up 1.2%
As-salaam alaikum. Just sharing a quick market update for anyone interested in the Gulf: Gulf Cooperation Council equities saw a second consecutive monthly rise in October, with the MSCI GCC index climbing about 1.2% as regional sentiment improved amid policy easing and resilient global markets.
A Kamco Invest note said the gains were broad-based across sectors and that investor confidence picked up toward month-end. Most GCC central banks (except Kuwait) cut interest rates, trading activity increased, and optimism returned in several key markets.
Performance was mixed across countries: Oman, Bahrain and Dubai advanced, while Qatar extended a losing streak. Oman led monthly gains at 8.3%, Bahrain rose 5.9%, and Dubai gained 3.8%. Qatar was the only market down, slipping 0.9% due to weakness in some large-cap names. Year-to-date, Oman has rallied about 22.6% and Boursa Kuwait holds a 22.7% advance.
Sector-wise, large-cap areas like banking, energy, telecoms and real estate outperformed in October. Diversified financials led with a 6.6% rise, retailing added about 6.4%, utilities rose 4.8%, energy climbed 3.8%, and banks were up 0.7%. On the other hand, consumer durables and apparel fell 10.7%, hotels and leisure dropped 2.2%, and food and drug retailing eased 1.2%.
In Kuwait, mid- and small-caps pushed the All-Share Index up 2.7% past the 9,000 mark, with monthly volumes jumping nearly 52% and traded value up 43.5%, a record high in value terms. Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul added 1.3% in October, led by utilities (+10.9%), while banking shares edged down as investors weighed the impact of wider foreign ownership rules. Notable corporate moves included Saudi Aramco’s increased stake in Rabigh Refining and financing agreements for large solar projects.
In the UAE, Abu Dhabi’s index rose 0.9% and Dubai’s DFM gained 3.8%, bringing Dubai’s year-to-date return to about 17.5%. Qatar’s market saw its third monthly decline, with real estate down and trading at its slowest since December 2024. Bahrain performed well (about +5.9%) helped by materials and financials, and Oman extended a four-month rally led by services and financials.
Overall traded value across the GCC reached roughly $58.7 billion for the month. Kamco Invest described October as a “risk-on” month for Gulf assets, supported by rate cuts and strength in energy-linked sectors.
May Allah bless our work and investments with barakah. If anyone wants a simpler breakdown of any country or sector, I can help.
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