KUWAIT CITY, Dec 4: ABK Capital, the investment arm of Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK), successfully held its first investment forum edition, “ABK Capital Investment Forum 2023”, in the presence of its distinguished clients, partners, and executives from both ABK and ABK Capital, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Kuwait. 

The event discussed the outlook for regional and global markets and provided clients with insights to better shape their investment decisions. Interactive sessions were held by the ABK Capital team and experts from its investment partners, who covered both public and private markets and across different asset classes. The speakers expressed their views on some of the emerging investment opportunities at the moment and the shift in investing patterns since the pandemic.

In particular, the forum provided an in-depth discussion of the impact of interest rate changes on global and regional markets and the possible policy direction of major central banks in the upcoming year.

The speakers also shed light on the GCC equities and fixed income landscape. The discussion touched on the opportunities within the different parts of the regional equities market, especially in comparison with Emerging Markets, their closest peers. This also extended to an examination of the attractiveness of GCC fixed income instruments against the current backdrop of high interest rates and the outlook for interest rates going forward.

Furthermore, the presentations stressed the risks and rewards of investing in the U.S. real estate market and different sub-sectors within the space, emphasizing the features of real estate investing that encompass a combination of income generation and capital appreciation potential. The discussions extended to current valuations and the recent correction in the U.S. real estate market and outlook for the asset class going forward.

The forum also featured insights into the USD 1.4 trillion private credit market, and the growing importance of direct lending in recent years. The speakers highlighted that private credit as an asset class has become more accessible to a wider array of investors and is expected to grow in prominence in the years ahead. The forum had a detailed assessment of the returns from investing in private credit during times of higher interest rates and widening credit spreads and the role of origination fees in shaping investment returns.

On this occasion, Yasmine Salamah, Chairperson of ABK Capital, said: “ABK Capital continues to play an important role in contributing to the development of Kuwait’s investment landscape by keeping the investment community appraised of key market events to make informed investment decisions. The recently concluded investment forum comes as an extension of the commitment made by ABK Capital to help investors identify upcoming opportunities and manage risks.”

Dr. Husayn Shahrur, CEO of ABK Capital, said: “We are extremely pleased to witness an overwhelmingly positive response for our ‘ABK Capital Investment Forum 2023’ and would like to thank the clients, investors, and stakeholders for their immense cooperation in contributing to the success of the event. ABK Capital will continue to strengthen its position as a leading investment company in Kuwait and continue to shape its business model around the investment needs of its clients.”

Ali Abdulmohsen Al Fulaij, Deputy CEO of ABK Capital, said “ABK Capital has positioned clients’ interests as its highest priority since its inception in 2006. We are dedicated to building and sustaining close long-term relationships with our clients to meet their investment needs.”