Kuwait stocks’ big moment lacks the usual pre-promotion rally

Kuwait stocks’ big moment lacks the usual pre-promotion rally

Kuwaiti companies will enter the popular emerging-market stocks benchmark compiled by MSCI Inc. this month. But you would barely know it looking at the main local equities index, which has failed to stage the customary rally before such an elevation in status.

MSCI is due to unveil its semi-annual index review on November 10, disclosing Kuwaiti shares to be added to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index that is widely followed by fund managers. The Gulf state's inclusion, initially expected in May, was postponed due to operational difficulties associated with the coronavirus outbreak.

Typically, investors rush to buy shares in soon-to-be upgraded markets the moment their pending promotion is announced, for a head start on the flood of money from passive funds - a window that usually lasts about a year. That's been the