Bull run continues as QSE advances on strong foreign fund inflows
Doha
The bull run on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) continued for yet another week, with the benchmark index gaining 102.09 points, or 0.91 percent, to close at 11,363.71 points. This sustained upward momentum reflects improving investor sentiment and strong foreign institutional buying, which have fueled a positive trend in the market over the past several weeks. The rally was broad-based, with major sectors and leading stocks contributing to the weekly gains.
Market capitalization increased by 1.2 percent, reaching QR676.3 billion, compared to QR668.3 billion at the close of the previous trading week. Of the 53 companies listed on the exchange, 33 ended the week in positive territory, while 20 posted losses.
Estithmar Holding (IGRD) emerged as the best-performing stock during the week, with a sharp rise of 10.2 percent. In contrast, Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance (QGRI) recorded the largest decline, falling by 4.9 percent.
The main contributors to the index's weekly rise were Estithmar Holding, Qatar Electricity & Water Company (QEWS), and Qatar Navigation, which added 11.54, 12.58, and 13.56 points to the index, respectively.
These gains highlight the strength in key sectors and investor confidence in some of the market's blue-chip stocks. page 6
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Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Bull run continues as QSE gains on strong foreign fund inflows
Satyendra Pathak Doha The bull run on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) continued for yet another week, with the benchmark index gaining 102.09 points, or 0.91 percent, to close at 11,363.71 points. This sustained upward momentum reflects improving investor sentiment and strong foreign institutional buying, which have fueled a positive trend in the market over the past several weeks. The rally was broad-based, with major sectors and leading stocks contributing to the weekly gains. Market capitalisation saw a notable increase of 1.2 percent, reaching QR676.3 billion compared to QR668.3 billion at the close of the previous trading week. Of the 53 companies listed on the exchange, 33 ended the week in positive territory, while 20 posted losses. Estithmar Holding emerged as the best-performing stock during the week, with a sharp rise of 10.2 percent. In contrast, Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance recorded the largest decline, falling by 4.9 percent. The main contributors to the index's weekly rise were Estithmar Holding, Qatar Electricity & Water Companyand Qatar Navigation, which added 11.54, 12.58, and 13.56 points to the index respectively. These gains highlight the strength in key sectors and investor confidence in some of the market's blue-chip stocks. Trading activity picked up momentum during the week. The total value of shares traded increased by 12.8 percent to QR2,232.7 million, up from QR1,979.2 million in the previous week. Trading volume also saw a substantial jump of 43.4 percent, reaching 1,042.3 million shares compared to 726.7 million shares a week earlier. The number of transactions rose by 28.6 percent to 115,170 from 89,525. Baladna was the most actively traded stock in terms of both value and volume, with a total traded value of QR252.5 million and a traded volume of 179.1 million shares. In terms of investor behavior, foreign institutions remained strongly bullish, ending the week with net buying of QR256.1 million, significantly higher than the previous week's QR157.1 million. Qatari institutions, however, continued to exhibit a bearish stance, registering net selling of QR28.0 million, up from QR3.2 million in the preceding week. Among retail investors, foreign individuals posted net selling of QR13.5 million, compared to QR10.3 million in the prior week. Qatari retail investors also increased their selling, with net outflows of QR214.6 million against QR143.6 million in the previous week. On a year-to-date basis, global foreign institutions have been net buyers of Qatari equities to the tune of $183.1 million, while GCC-based institutions have a net long position of $1.2 million. Commenting on the market's recent performance, Ramzi Qasmieh, Investment Manager at Qatar Securities Company, told Qatar News Agency that the general index has recorded a gain of more than 10 percent over the past seven weeks. He attributed this momentum largely to a noticeable influx of foreign liquidity, particularly into leading banking stocks. Notably, shares of QNB reached their highest level since May 2022 during the week, underlining the strength in the financial sector. Qasmieh also highlighted the sector-wise performance, noting that five out of seven sectors closed in the green. The transportation sector led with a gain of 2.27 percent, followed by the industrial sector, which rose by 1.68 percent. However, the insurance and telecommunications sectors ended the week in the red. The broader market benefited from renewed investor interest, with liquidity flowing into both leading and speculative stocks. The industrial segment, in particular, gained from the uptick in global prices of key products such as urea and aluminum. Among the week's top performers, Investment Holding Group stood out with a gain of 10.2 percent, while Baladna followed closely with an 8.2 percent increase. On the downside, shares in the insurance sector underperformed, with Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance falling by 4.9 percent and AlKhaleej Takaful dropping by 2.2percent. The sustained rally and broad-based participation indicate a healthy outlook for the market, supported by foreign capital inflows and improving fundamentals. Analysts remain optimistic that the Qatar Stock Exchange will continue to benefit from strong investor interest, particularly in sectors tied to global commodity trends andfinancial services.
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Bull run continues as QSE advances on strong foreign fund inflows
Satyendra Pathak Doha The bull run on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) continued for yet another week, with the benchmark index gaining 102.09 points, or 0.91 percent, to close at 11,363.71 points. This sustained upward momentum reflects improving investor sentiment and strong foreign institutional buying, which have fueled a positive trend in the market over the past several weeks. The rally was broad-based, with major sectors and leading stocks contributing to the weekly gains. Market capitalization increased by 1.2 percent, reaching QR676.3 billion, compared to QR668.3 billion at the close of the previous trading week. Of the 53 companies listed on the exchange, 33 ended the week in positive territory, while 20 posted losses. Estithmar Holding (IGRD) emerged as the best-performing stock during the week, with a sharp rise of 10.2 percent. In contrast, Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance (QGRI) recorded the largest decline, falling by 4.9 percent. The main contributors to the index's weekly rise were Estithmar Holding, Qatar Electricity & Water Company (QEWS), and Qatar Navigation, which added 11.54, 12.58, and 13.56 points to the index, respectively. These gains highlight the strength in key sectors and investor confidence in some of the market's blue-chip stocks. page 6
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Top 20 firms dominate QSE with 89.1% of market value
Satyendra Pathak Doha The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) continues to be shaped by a small cluster of powerful corporations that account for nearly nine-tenths of its total market value. According to the latest rankings released by Forbes Middle East, the 20 largest listed companies in Qatar together represent a staggering 89.1 percent of the exchange's combined capitalisation, equivalent to $148.2 billion out of the total $166.3 billion. The findings underline the dominance of heavyweight institutions and industrial giants in defining investor confidence, liquidity flows, and overall market performance in Qatar. Their sheer scale and reach make them not only central to the QSE but also to the wider Qatari economy and its diversification agenda. At the forefront is Qatar National Bank (QNB), the region's largest lender and one of the most valuable banking brands in the Middle East. With a market capitalisation of $38.5 billion, QNB alone represents almost a quarter of the total QSE value, reaffirming its position as the undisputed anchor of Qatar's financial sector. Close behind is Industries Qatar with a market value of $22.6 billion, showcasing the nation's strength in petrochemicals, fertilizers, and steel – sectors that continue to provide resilience amid fluctuating energy markets. The telecommunications sector is spearheaded by Ooredoo, with a capitalisation of $12.3 billion. The company's pioneering role in digital transformation, both domestically and across its international footprint, makes it a major contributor to the exchange's weight. Islamic banking is another dominant theme, with Qatar Islamic Bank ($12.2 billion) and Masraf Al Rayan ($11.3 billion) occupying leading positions, highlighting Qatar's leadership in Shariah-compliant financial services. Dukhan Bank and Qatar International Islamic Bank also rank among the top 20, further strengthening the sector's presence. Energy-linked companies feature prominently, reflecting Qatar's global position as a liquefied natural gas (LNG) powerhouse. Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat), with a market capitalization of $7.7 billion, plays a strategic role as the world's largest owner and operator of LNG carriers. Qatar Fuel Company (Woqod) and Qatar Electricity and Water Company add further weight by ensuring downstream distribution and utility infrastructure – both of which are vital to the domestic economy. The real estate and infrastructure sector is strongly represented by United Development Company, Barwa Real Estate, and Mazaya Qatar Real Estate Development, all of which have played a central role in the transformation of Doha's skyline and the expansion of residential, commercial, and leisure projects in the country. Qatar Navigation (Milaha), valued at $3.6 billion, underscores the strategic importance of logistics and shipping services in bolstering Qatar's position as a trade hub. Insurance and healthcare, two sectors that continue to expand in line with Qatar's growing population and national development plans, are represented by Qatar Insurance Company and Medicare Group, each contributing to diversification beyond traditional energy and banking industries. Together, these 20 companies set the tone for QSE performance on a daily basis. Fluctuations in their share prices often dictate overall index movement, while their dividend announcements and expansion plans serve as bellwethers for broader investor sentiment. Their collective dominance illustrates both the concentration of wealth in Qatar's corporate sector and the opportunities for mid-cap and emerging firms to gain ground as the market deepens. Market experts note that such concentration is not uncommon in GCC bourses, where large banks, energy firms, and telecom providers dominate. However, Qatar's leading corporates stand out for their regional influence, financial strength, and global ambitions, making them critical players in both the domestic economy and the wider Middle East investment landscape. As highlighted by Forbes Middle East, these top 20 firms represent the backbone of Qatar's corporate sector. Their ability to sustain growth, adapt to global economic shifts, and contribute to the country's diversification agenda will be central to the QSE's future trajectory and to Qatar's long-term vision of building a knowledge-based economy under the framework of National Vision 2030.
