Gulf markets recorded trades of six hundred eighteen billion dollars in 2025 despite a decline in market value.
- Gulf markets recorded trading volumes of 618 billion USD in 2025, a 19.5% increase.
- Total market capitalization in the Gulf reached approximately 3.9 trillion USD, down 6.2%.
- Number of listed companies on Gulf exchanges reached 779, with 97% available for citizen trading.
- saw regulatory developments enhancing corporate governance and financial integration in the Gulf.
### Gulf Markets Report Significant Trading Activity in 2025
The Statistical Center for the Gulf Cooperation Council announced that the financial markets in the member states recorded trading volumes of 401.7 billion shares, valued at 618 billion US dollars during 2025. This figure represents a 19.5% increase compared to 2024.
### Market Capitalization and Index Performance
The center’s report, released on Sunday, indicated that the total market capitalization of Gulf financial markets reached approximately 3.9 trillion dollars in 2025. This amount reflects a decrease of 6.2% from the previous year. Additionally, the composite general index for market performance stood at 165.2 points, marking a decline of 3.8% compared to the end of 2024.
### Listed Companies and Joint Trading in the Gulf
The report highlighted that the number of companies listed on Gulf exchanges reached 779. Among these, 756 companies, or 97% of the total, allow trading of their shares by citizens of the member states. Notably, this percentage reached 100% in the exchanges of Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, and Qatar.
### Regulatory Developments in 2025
The center pointed out that 2025 witnessed extensive regulatory developments in financial markets and investment funds, which included:
– Development of listing and offering rules
– Enhancement of corporate governance
– Regulation of trading behaviors
– Improvement of market-making mechanisms
– Expansion of digital platforms and financial technologies
### Strengthening Gulf Integration
To support financial integration among member states, the inter-registration regulation for investment funds came into effect. This regulation serves as the first unified regulatory framework for a financial product across the Gulf region. Efforts continue to promote the listing and trading of bonds and sukuk, enhance dual listings, and establish electronic links between exchanges, in addition to standardizing investor numbers for citizens of the member states.
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