(MENAFN - Arab News) During the year 2011, Bahrain's economy reeled under socio-political unrest that started at the beginning of the year. Consequently, Bahrain bourse had the worst performance in all GCC markets. Bahrain All-Share index shed 20.15 percent of its value by the end of 2011, according to a report by Global Investment House (Global).
Trading activity
The political unrest had its effects on the trading activity of the exchange. During 2011, 520.2 million shares were traded on Bahrain bourse, down from 612.2 million shares traded in 2010 (-15.0 percent). Aggregate value of shares traded stood at BHD105.0 million (276.5 million), down from BHD108.4 million (285.6 million) in 2010 (-3.2 percent).
Sector wise, commercial banks sector was the most active in terms of volume and value of shares traded in 2011, with 269.8 million shares exchanged at an aggregate value of BHD50.0 million (132.2 million), which represented 51.9 percent and 47.6 percent, respectively, of the market's aggregate volume and value traded for 2011. Within the sector, Ahli United Bank (AUB) was the top volume leader, a total of 147.0 million of AUB's shares were exchanged, at an aggregate value of BHD39.8 million (105.2 million), representing 28.3 percent and 37.9 percent of the total traded volume and value on the exchange in 2011, respectively. The bank's share price retreated by 5.3 percent, ending at 0.665, the Global report said.
Sectoral performance
No gaining sectors were seen in Bahrain bourse by the end of 2011. Investment index retreated by 28.8 percent by the end of 2011. Within the sector, share price of Al-Baraka Banking Group retreated by 20.07 percent, while Arab Banking Corporation ended 17.65 percent lower.
Industrial index was also a notable decliner, shedding 26.73 percent of its value. Selling pressure mounted on shares of heavyweight, Aluminum Bahrain (Alba) throughout the year 2011, on concerns over planned gas price hike. However, during the last quarter of the year, Alba's share price recovered and limited it annual loss to 25.97 percent by the end of 2011, ending at BHD0.660.
In the meantime, Services index dropped by 18.24 percent. Share price of Bahrain Telecommunications Company ended 2011 at BHD0.392, down by 23.14 percent.
On the company's level, one of five companies managed to end the year on a higher note. The Bahrain Ship Repairing and Engineering Company was the top gainer, up by 19.19 percent. Bahrain Family Leisure Company followed, up by 14.13 percent. In the meantime, share price of Bahrain Cinema Company, National Bank of Bahrain, and Bahrain National Holding Company posted marginal advances of 4 percent, 2.02 percent, and 0.49 percent, respectively.
Market capitalization
Market capitalization of Bahraini listed companies stood at BHD6.4 billion (16.9 billion) by the end of 2011, declining from BHD7.9 billion (20.9 billion) recorded in 2010, a drop of 17.97 percent or BHD1.5 billion (3.9 billion) during the period, the Global report said.
