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Qatar Tribune
13 hours ago
- 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
13 hours ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Diesel price hiked for August
QatarEnergy announced on Thursday the fuel prices for August 2025, with diesel price increasing, while Gasoline 95 and Gasoline 91 remain unchanged. QatarEnergy has set the price of a liter of diesel at QR2.05, the price for Super Gasoline 95 at QR2 per litre, and Premium Gasoline 91 at QR1.95 per litre. (QNA)
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.
Qatar Tribune
17-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QSE bull run continues on strong earnings, rising foreign inflows
Satyendra Pathak Doha The bullish momentum in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) remained intact this week, with the benchmark QSE Index advancing by 88.01 points, or 0.81 percent, to close at 10,915.20 points. This upward movement was largely fueled by solid corporate earnings announcements and increasing inflows from foreign institutional investors, both of which contributed to a broader sense of optimism across the market. Market capitalisation followed suit, registering a week-on-week increase of 1.2 percent. The total value of listed companies on the exchange rose from QR640.1 billion at the end of the previous week to QR647.6 billion. Out of the 53 listed companies, 39 ended the week in the green, while 12 declined and two remained unchanged, reflecting overall positive sentiment among investors. One of the standout performers during the week was Mannai Corporation, which recorded a substantial gain of 15 percent, emerging as the best-performing stock. On the other end of the spectrum, Doha Bank posted the steepest decline of the week, with its share price falling by 4.2 percent. Several heavyweight stocks played a critical role in supporting the index's gains. Qatar Islamic Bank contributed the most to the index's advance, adding 40.9 points to the benchmark. QNB Group followed with a 28.7-point contribution, while Nakilat, the country's leading LNG shipping company, added a further 6.6 points. These blue-chip firms saw strong investor interest driven by robust earnings results and confidence in their long-term fundamentals. Trading activity surged compared to the previous week. The total value of shares traded on the exchange increased by 23.3 percent to reach QR2,242.6 million, up from QR1,819.3 million in the prior week. Trading volume also witnessed a significant rise of 20.3 percent, with a total of 769.6 million shares changing hands compared to 639.4 million shares in the previous week. Additionally, the number of executed transactions climbed by 23.1 percent, reaching 115,627 trades, up from 93,943. Mannai Corporation was not only the best performer in terms of price appreciation but also led in trading value, with QR138.3 million worth of its shares traded during the week. In terms of trading volume, Ezdan Holding Group came out on top, with 135.7 million shares traded. Investor behavior during the week showed a notable shift in capital flows. Foreign institutional investors maintained their status as strong net buyers, recording net purchases worth QR136.1 million, an increase from QR99.2 million in the previous week. Qatari institutional investors, while still net sellers, reduced their net selling position to QR21.8 million from QR32.8 million the week before. In contrast, foreign retail investors reversed their previous week's buying trend, turning into net sellers of QR19.9 million, compared to net buying of QR11.2 million in the earlier week. Qatari retail investors continued to offload shares, recording net sales of QR141.9 million, up significantly from QR77.6 million. On a year-to-date basis, global foreign institutions have been net buyers of $56.0 million in Qatari equities, underscoring their growing confidence in the local market. In contrast, institutional investors from the GCC region have remained net sellers, with total outflows amounting to $29.7 million. Commenting on the weekly performance, financial market analyst Youssef Bouhlaiqa told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the QSE is exhibiting a notable upward trajectory, backed by technical indicators that point to market strength and stability. He predicted that, if the current positive sentiment continues, the QSE Index is well positioned to breach the psychological resistance level of 11,000 points in the coming week. Bouhlaiqa attributed the market's performance to better-than-expected quarterly earnings from listed companies, which have reassured investors about the fundamental strength of the Qatari economy. He said that the results released so far have generally met or exceeded expectations, reinforcing the bullish outlook for key sectors. He also highlighted the role of foreign portfolios, which have become increasingly active in recent weeks. According to him, these investors are closely watching the Qatari market for opportunities, particularly in the context of global macroeconomic uncertainty and the relative stability offered by Qatar's economic and financial fundamentals. Bouhlaiqa emphasized that investor focus is gradually shifting towards stocks in the industrial, insurance, and telecommunications sectors. These sectors, he said, are showing signs of renewed strength and could drive the market higher in the short to medium term. He also advised investors to closely monitor supply and demand dynamics in individual stocks, as this can provide valuable clues about future price movements and institutional activity.
Qatar Tribune
16-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QIB net profit up 5.3% to QR2.18 billion in H1
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), the country's leading Shari'a-compliant financial institution, has reported a net profit of QR2,175 million for the six-month period ending 30 June 2025, marking a 5.3 percent increase compared to QR2,065 million recorded during the same period last year. The bank's earnings per share rose to QR0.92 in H1 2025 from QR0.87 in H1 2024, reflecting sustained profitability growth. In a move reinforcing its shareholder-friendly policies, QIB's board of directors has approved an interim cash dividend of QR0.40 per share, equivalent to 40 percent of the nominal share value. This payout, which is subject to regulatory approval from Qatar Central Bank, will be distributed to shareholders registered as of market close on July 24, 2025. QIB's total assets surged to QR212.1 billion as of 30 June 2025, registering a 5.6 percent growth from December 2024 and a 10.3 percent increase year-on-year. The bank attributed this robust asset growth primarily to increased financing and investing activities. Financing assets climbed to QR130.8 billion, reflecting a 4.4 percent increase from December 2024 and a 3.1 percent rise compared to June 2024. Investment securities reached QR60.1 billion, up 13.4 percent from December 2024 and 21.9 percent higher year-on-year, as QIB continued to diversify and strengthen its investment portfolio. Customer deposits increased to QR135 billion, registering an 8 percent rise since December 2024 and a 10 percent increase compared to June 2024. The finance-to-deposit ratio stood at 96.8 percent, one of the lowest among Qatari banks, underlining QIB's strong and stable liquidityprofile. QIB's total income for H1 2025 reached QR5,642.8 million, up slightly from QR5,609.3 million in the same period last year. Net income from financing and investing activities alone amounted to QR5,127.8 million, underscoring the bank's core revenue-generating strength. Operational efficiency remains a cornerstone of QIB's strategy. The bank's total operating expenses stood at QR537.7 million for the first half of 2025. Cost containment efforts brought the cost-to-income ratio down to 16.4 percent—once again the lowest in Qatar's bankingsector. On the asset quality front, QIB maintained its ratio of non-performing financing assets to total financing assets at 1.75 percent, showcasing strong credit risk management and prudent underwriting standards. Coverage for non-performing assets stood at 95.1 percent as of 30 June 2025, supported by a conservative provisioning strategy. QIB's shareholders' equity increased to QR28.1 billion, marking a 3.4 percent rise from December 2024 and a 9.2 percent increase year-on-year. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR), calculated according to the new Qatar Central Bank guidelines, stood at a robust 22 percent—well above the regulatory minimum and Basel III requirements. QIB's financial strength and stability were reaffirmed by major global credit rating agencies. In June 2025, Fitch Ratings affirmed QIB's long-term issuer default rating at 'A' with a stable outlook. Moody's maintained its 'A1' rating with a stable outlook, while Capital Intelligence Ratings (CI) affirmed a long-term rating of 'AA-' with a stable outlook in March 2025. As QIB continues to deliver on its strategic goals, the bank remains committed to sustainable growth, digital innovation, and value creation for its customers and stakeholders, further reinforcing its leading position in Qatar's Islamic banking sector.
