Business
SNG: Listed firms in Bahrain post strong Q3 gains
SNG: Listed firms in Bahrain post strong Q3 gains
About this update from Gfh Bank B.s.c.
First published: 27-Nov-2025 13:24:23Staff WriterListed companies in Bahrain delivered a strong performance in the third quarter of 2025, with aggregate net profits soaring 31.3 per cent year-on-year to reach $597 million. Analysis by Kuwait-base Kamco Invest shows that the robust quarterly result was broad-based, as 12 out of 14 sectors, including major contributors like banking and materials, reported year-on-year growth.For the first nine months of the year (9M-2025), total net earnings for Bahrain Bourse also showed a solid increase, rising 9.7pc year-on-year to $1.6 billion (from $1.4bn in 9M-2024).The vital banking sector was a key driver, seeing a 16.4pc year-on-year rise in Q3-2025 profits to $222.4m.All eight listed banks contributed to this growth. For the nine-month period, the sector’s aggregate net earnings improved 14.7pc to $739.6m.Al Salam Bank was instrumental in the 9M-2025 growth, reporting a 37.4pc jump in net profits to $154.3m, driven by its core banking operations.Conversely, while reporting the largest net profits among banks at $203.9m for 9M-2025, Bank ABC saw a marginal 5.1pc drop in its nine-month earnings, despite its total operating income rising to $1.033bn.In the materials sector, sole listed company Alba reported a strong Q3-2025, with net profits increasing 23.3pc year-on-year to $178.4m.This was primarily attributed to an 11pc rise in LME prices during the quarter.However, Alba’s 9M-2025 net profits declined 25.5pc to $291.6m, as higher feedstock costs during the year offset the average selling price increase.The diversified financial sector saw profits nearly triple in Q3-2025, reaching $108.8m. The nine-month performance was similarly impressive, with net earnings surging 71.1pc to $186.4m.GFH Financial Group was the main support, reporting higher 9M profits of $168.5m.Against the backdrop of widespread growth, the telecom sector recorded a slight 4.5pc year-on-year drop in Q3-2025 to $48.7m.This decline was mainly driven by Beyon, which reported a profit decrease to $44.3m, attributed to additional taxes from the domestic minimum top-up tax (DMTT) effective this year.In contrast, Zain Bahrain saw a marginal 1pc increase in its Q3 net earnings to $4.34m.Zooming out, aggregate net profits for companies listed on GCC exchanges rose 7.9pc year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025 to a recent high of $65.6bn, up from $60.7...