In a landmark development that comes as a global recognition for Boursa Kuwait, the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and the Kuwait Clearing Company’s (KCC) sweeping market development efforts, MSCI Inc., a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community, announced the reclassification of Kuwait to ‘Emerging Market’.
The MSCI status upgrade follows Kuwait’s inclusion in S&P Dow Jones Indices’ (S&P DJI), Global Equity Indices, with Emerging Markets classification in December 2018 and in the FTSE Russell Emerging Markets Index in September 2017.
On December 20, 2018, Boursa Kuwait completed the second tranche of its inclusion in FTSE Russell Index for Emerging Markets. The first tranche was initiated in September of the same year.
On December 5, 2018, S&P Dow Jones Indices (“S&P DJI”) announced that it will add eligible Kuwaiti companies to S&P DJI’s Global Benchmark Indices with an Emerging Market classification effective at the market open on September 23, 2019.
On June 25th 2019, MSCI, upgraded Kuwait to ‘Emerging Market’ from its previous ‘Frontier Market’ status in its 2019 Annual Market Classification Review. The reclassification, is expected to lead to significant foreign capital flows to country’s equities.
Hamad Mishari Al-Humaidhi
Chairman, Boursa Kuwait
The benefits of joining Emerging Markets Indices
Improving market access and Diversifiying investor base
Increase attractiveness of the Capital market
Inflows of foreign investment and Improve liquidity
Encourage Participation of experienced investors in companies general assemblies
“MSCI’s reclassification of Kuwait to Emerging Markets represents a recognition of Boursa Kuwait’s instrumental role in improving market access and efficiency, enhancing transparency and governance, increasing liquidity and strengthening investor confidence over the last two years.”
Mohammed Al Osaimi
Acting CEO, Boursa Kuwait
