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Qatar Tribune
31-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QSE index advances on strong banking sector results in H1
Satyendra Pathak Doha The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) recorded a positive performance this week as the benchmark index rose 40.86 points, or 0.36 percent, to close at 11,261.62 points. The uptick was supported by strong buying interest in key heavyweights, particularly in the banking and telecom sectors, despite a noticeable slowdown in overall trading activity. Market capitalisation followed suit, edging higher by 0.7 percent to QR668.3 billion compared with QR663.8 billion at the end of the previous trading week. Analysts said the steady growth in market value underscores investors' confidence in Qatar's blue-chip stocks, particularly ahead of upcoming earnings and dividend announcements. Trading patterns showed mixed sentiment among investors. Out of the 53 listed companies, 30 advanced, 20 declined, and three remained unchanged. Qatar Cinema emerged as the week's top gainer, surging 8.4 percent, while Qatar Electricity & Water was the biggest loser, shedding 3.5 percent. The main index was bolstered by Ooredoo, which alone contributed 28.22 points to the weekly rise. Commercial Bank of Qatar added 26.09 points, while Estithmar Holding supported the index with a 4.03-point contribution. The performance of these stocks outweighed the drag from utilities and some industrial names, keeping the overall market momentum positive. Despite the upward trend in the index, trading activity reflected investor caution. The total traded value declined 14.9 percent to QR1,979.2 million compared to QR2,325.7 million in the previous week. Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) led the market in terms of traded value, accounting for QR149.2 million. Traded volume dropped 23.5 percent to 726.7 million shares from 950.2 million in the prior week. Baladna was the most active by volume, with 100.9 million shares changing hands. The number of transactions also fell 6.7 percent to 89,525 from 94,990. Foreign institutions continued to provide the main support for the market. They remained net buyers with inflows of QR157.1 million, compared to QR159.1 million a week earlier. On the other hand, Qatari institutions maintained a bearish stance, recording net selling of QR3.2 million, though significantly lower than the QR21.1 million in the prior week. Retail investors continued to exit positions. Foreign retail investors recorded net selling of QR10.3 million against QR8.2 million in the previous week, while Qatari retail investors were the largest net sellers with QR143.6 million, up from QR129.7 million in the week before. On a year-to-date basis, global foreign institutions remain firm net buyers of Qatari equities, with cumulative inflows of $126.8 million, while GCC institutions are net short by $12.9 million. Commenting on the market's performance, financial market analyst Youssef Bouhlaiqa told Qatar News Agency that the QSE index held firm above the crucial 11,200-point support level throughout the week. 'This stability, combined with the recent gains, indicates strong resilience in the Qatari market. The index has gained 6.53 percent since the start of 2025, supported by robust sectoral performances and healthy foreign inflows,' he said. Bouhlaiqa drew attention to the solid half-yearly results of the banking sector, which remains the cornerstone of the Qatari market. The sector's net profits rose by 1.4 percent in the first half of 2025, reaching QR15.1 billion compared to the same period last year. Out of the nine listed banks, eight reported growth in earnings, reflecting the sector's strong fundamentals and operational efficiency. Lesha Bank led the pack with an impressive 52.29 percent jump in net profits. Qatar National Bank (QNB), the region's largest lender, accounted for 54 percent of the sector's profits with QR8.4 billion, marking a 2.93percent year-on-year increase. 'The banking sector's resilience highlights its ability to adapt quickly to evolving market conditions. Despite global headwinds, Qatar's banks continue to demonstrate strength, liquidity, and growth, providing confidence to both local and international investors,' Bouhlaiqa added. Weekly turnover remained robust, with the total trading value standing at QR1.979 billion, translating into a daily average of around QR396 million. Across all sectors, the number of executed transactions reached 89,525, underscoring consistent market activity despite lower volumes. Looking ahead, the report said, analysts expect QSE to maintain its positive trajectory, supported by ongoing foreign institutional inflows, solid earnings in the financial sector, and Qatar's continued economic diversification efforts. The index's ability to sustain above the 11,200-point support level will be crucial in determining the next phase of market diection.
Qatar Tribune
24-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QSE surges to 3-year high on strong H1 corporate earnings
Satyendra Pathak Doha The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Index ended the trading week on a strong note, gaining 305.56 points or 2.8 percent to close at 11,220.76 points, its highest level in three years. The week's performance was driven by a combination of upbeat corporate earnings, attractive interim dividends, and rising interest from foreign institutional investors. Market capitalisation followed suit, rising by 2.5 percent to reach QR663.8 billion, up from QR647.6 billion at the end of the previous trading week. Of the 53 listed companies on the QSE, 36 ended the week with gains, 14 recorded losses, while three remained unchanged, indicating broad-based market strength across sectors. Trading activity during the week reflected increased investor participation. The total traded value rose by 3.7 percent to QR2,325.7 million compared to QR2,242.6 million in the previous week. Trading volumes surged by 23.5 percent, with 950.2 million shares changing hands compared to 769.6 million shares in the prior week. However, the number of transactions declined by 17 percent, falling to 94,990 from 115,627 in the previous week. Among individual stocks, Qatar Islamic Bank (QIBK) emerged as the best performer, posting a weekly gain of 7.3 percent. It was also the largest contributor to the index's rise, adding 126.45 points. QNB Group (QNB) and Industries Qatar (IQ) also played key roles in supporting the index, contributing 96.30 and 38.45 points respectively. On the other hand, Mannai Corporation (MCCS) was the worst-performing stock of the week, falling by 11.2 percent. Despite the decline, MCCS was the most traded stock in terms of value, with QR207.5 million worth of shares exchanged. Ezdan Holding Group (ERES) led in terms of traded volume, with 114.7 million shares traded during the week. Investor behaviour continued to show a clear divide between institutional and retail participants. Foreign institutional investors remained net buyers, recording a net inflow of QR159.1 million, slightly down from QR183.6 million the previous week. Qatari institutions continued to sell, with net outflows of QR21.1 million, nearly unchanged from QR21.8 million a week earlier. Foreign retail investors remained net sellers, posting QR8.2 million in sales, although this was an improvement from the QR19.9 million recorded the previous week. Qatari retail investors also remained bearish, with net selling of QR129.7 million compared to QR141.9 million in the previous week. Year-to-date, global foreign institutions have shown sustained interest in Qatari equities, registering a net buying position of $93.5 million. In contrast, institutional investors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) remain net sellers by $23 million, indicating a divergence in regional investment behavior. Commenting on the week's performance, financial market analyst Mubarak Al Tamimi told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that a number of positive factors contributed to the index breaching the key 11,000-point level. Chief among them, he said, were the solid performance of listed companies and their strong profits in the first half of the year, which were followed by interim dividend announcements. Al Tamimi noted that there is a growing trend of foreign and Gulf investment portfolios moving towards the Qatari market due to the opportunities it offers in comparison to other regional markets. He added that this trend is likely to strengthen in the coming period amid falling interest rates and rising returns on shares of Qatari companies. He emphasised that the current market conditions present a favorable environment for investors to enhance their portfolios, increase their buying activity, and inject more liquidity into the market. Al Tamimi encouraged investors to make the most of the attractive stock prices and strong dividend yields but warned against engaging in speculative trading without sufficient experience, due to the associated high risks. Concluding his analysis of the market, Al Tamimi said that the general index is now approaching its next technical resistance level at 11,500 points. If this level is breached, the index could move higher toward the next resistance mark of 11,917 points, indicating a continued upward trajectory if the market momentum remains intact. The strong performance of the QSE this week, underpinned by improving fundamentals, rising foreign inflows, and increased trading activity, signals growing confidence in the market. If these trends persist, the Qatari stock market could continue to deliver solid returns and attract further regional and international investment.
