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