Revealed: Top 10 companies in Bahrain in 2017

Cuts in the debt ratings of Bahrain and Oman underline a growing gap between the weakest Gulf Arab economies and the others – a gap that may not yet be fully reflected in market prices.

All three major agencies have classified Bahrain’s debt rating as junk and have also maintained negative outlooks.

Despite this, corporate earnings in Bahrain grew 6 per cent year-on-year in the first half with noticeable growth in financial services (111 per cent).

Key events in Bahrain this year include the inauguration of the Bahrain Investment Market (BIM) – an alternative source of financing for growing businesses in the kingdom and the wider MENA region.

The new equity market aims to improve access to finance for small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that do not meet the listing criteria for BHB’s main board.

TOP 10 COMPANIES IN BAHRAIN

(By market capitalisation as of October 11, 2017. Source: Reuters Eikon, Markaz Research)

1. Ahli United Bank

Market capitalisation: $5.18bn
Sector: Banking and investment services

2. National Bank of Bahrain

Market capitalisation: $2.20bn
Sector: Banking and investment services

3. Aluminium Bahrain

Market capitalisation: $1.94bn
Sector: Mineral resources

4. GFH Financial Group

Market capitalisation: $1.62bn
Sector: Banking and investment services

5. BBK

Market capitalisation: $1.14bn
Sector: Banking and investment services

6. Bahrain Telecommunications Company

Market capitalisation: $0.90bn
Sector: Telecommunications services

7. Arab Banking Corporation

Market capitalisation: $0.87bn
Sector: Banking and investment services

8. Investcorp Bank

Market capitalisation: $0.66bn
Sector: Banking and investment services

9. Al Salam Bank Bahrain

Market Capitalisation: $0.55bn
Sector: Banking and investment services

10. Al Baraka Banking Group

Market capitalisation: $0.46bn
Sector: Banking and investment services