Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz)
 | This article contains promotional content. (March 2023) |
| Company type | Public Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial Services |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Kuwait, Sharq, Ahmad Al-Jaber Street, Universal Tower , |
| Website | www.markaz.com |
Kuwait Financial Centre (K.P.S.C), a.k.a. “Markaz”, is an asset management and investment banking institution in the Middle East and North Africa (M.E.N.A.) region, based in Kuwait. As of December 31st, 2023, it has total assets under management of over KWD 1.21 billion (Kuwaiti Dinar),[1] which equates to about USD 3.93 billion. Markaz was listed on the national stock market of Kuwait, named (Boursa Kuwait), for the first time in 1997, 23 years after its foundation. The company provides several services, like asset management, investment banking, real estate investment, wealth management and investment-focused research.
Markaz has also created new investment channels like Mumtaz (the first domestic mutual fund in Kuwait), the Markaz Real Estate Fund (M.R.E.F.) and Forsa Financial Fund, an options market maker in the Gulf Cooperation Council. All are still managed by Markaz.
Shareholders structuring
[edit]The major shareholders[2] (owning more than 5% of the issued shares) of the company directly or indirectly as of March 16, 2023, are as follows:
| Shareholder | % of issued shares | Underlying beneficiary owning more than 5% stake | Stake of underlying beneficiary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuwait Pillars for Financial Investment (KSC Closed) "formerly known as Strategia Investment Company" | 29.695 | None | 10.299% |
| Al Mubader Co. | 5.133 | None | Not Applicable |
Subsidiaries and branches
[edit]- Marmore MENA Intelligence:[3] It was established in the year 2010. Marmore is a majority owned subsidiary of Kuwait Financial Centre "Markaz". Marmore offers full-fledged research in asset management and investment banking focused on Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Marmore’s objective is to provide services of financial research and analysis of Mena economies, markets, and companies.
- Mar-Gulf Management, Inc. (MGMI): Acts as Markaz's real estate arm in the United States. Since 1988, Markaz has been conducting real estate transactions in the US through Mar-Gulf, located in Los Angeles, California.
Latest awards
[edit]2016: Best Equity Manager in Kuwait Award from MENA Fund Managers[4]
2014: Global Investor’s Best Asset Manager Award[5]
2014: EMEA finance’s Best Asset Manager Award[6]
2014: Euromoney's Best Investment Bank Award[7]
2014: Global Finance’s Best Investment Bank Award[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Investor relations | MARKAZ". www.markaz.com. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ "Major Shareholders". MARKAZ.
- ^ "Marmore MENA Intelligence". E-marmore.
- ^ "Best Equity Manager in Kuwait Award from MENA Fund Managers". menafm.
- ^ "Markaz named 'Best Asset Manager in Kuwait 2014' by Global Investor". Kuwait Times.
- ^ "Markaz named 'Best Asset Manager in Kuwait 2014'". Kuwait Times.
- ^ "Markaz wins Euromoney's 'Best Investment Bank in Kuwait' Award". Kuwait Times.
- ^ "Global Finance Names the World's Best Investment Banks 2014" (PDF). Cloud Front.