Gulf Times

The Chinese growth concerns had an overarching influence in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), whose key index tanked 180 points and capitalisation eroded QR7bn this week, which saw the advent of Beema in the trading ring.
The Gulf institutions were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index plummeted 1.63% this week which saw global credit rating agency Moody’s sound bullish on Qatar as it said 2023 appear positive in view of higher energy prices bolstering the finances.
The real estate, banking and consumer goods counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure this week which saw Moody’s view that the North Field Expansion to create new business opportunities for the Qatari banking industry.
More than 61% of the traded constituents were in the red this week, which saw QIIB report net profit of QR4.01bn during 2022.
The foreign institutions continued to be net profit takers but with lesser vigour this week which saw Dukhan Bank shareholders approve the board’s proposal to seek direct listing on the QSE.
Local retail investors were seen net buyers this week which saw QSE acting chief executive officer Abdul Aziz al-Emadi say that directing listings and book-building would encourage more companies to go public.
The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices this week which saw Woqod Group register net profit of QR1.01bn during 2022.
The domestic funds turned bullish this week which saw a total of 0.43mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange traded fund QATR worth QR1.04mn trade across 46 deals.
Trade turnover and volumes were on the increase in the main market this week, which saw as many as 0.07mn Doha Bank-sponsored QETF valued at QR0.76mn change hands across 42 transactions.
Market capitalisation was seen eroding QR6.93bn or 1.12% to QR614.27bn on the back of mid and small cap segments this week which saw the industrials and banking sectors together constitute more than 77% of the total trade volume in the main market.
The Total Return Index tanked 1.63%, All Share Index by 1.58% and All Islamic Index by 1.26% this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.
The real estate sector index plummeted 4.02%, banks and financial services (3.25%), consumer goods and services (2.17%) and insurance (0.23%); while telecom shot up 4.22%, transport (2.46%) and industrials (0.71%) this week which saw no trading of treasury bills.
Major losers in the main market included Widam Food, Qatari German Medical Devices, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Qatar Oman Investment, Commercial Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, QNB, Doha Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, Dlala, Inma Holding, Salam International Investment, Medicare Group, Estithmar Holding, Barwa and Ezdan this week, which saw Qatar’s retail inflation surge 5.93% on an annualised basis in December 2022.
Nevertheless, Ooredoo, Ahlibank Qatar, Nakilat, Gulf International Services, Qamco, Al Meera, Qatar National Cement and Industries Qatar were among the gainers this week.
The Gulf institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR54.03mn compared with net buyers of QR161.41mn the week ended January 12.
However, the local retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR48.36mn against net sellers of QR1.61mn a week ago.
The domestic institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR28.4mn compared with net sellers of QR15.32mn the previous week.
The foreign individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR10.6mn against net profit takers of QR3.08mn the week ended January 12.
The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR3.97mn compared with net sellers of QR3.21mn a week ago.
The Gulf retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR0.98mn against net profit takers of QR1.38mn the previous week.
The Arab institutions’ net buying expanded marginally to QR0.39mn compared to QR0.24mn the week ended January 12.
The foreign funds’ net profit booking weakened substantially to QR38.67mn against QR137.06mn a week ago.
Total trade volume in the main market decreased 11% to 716.72mn shares, value by 4% to QR2.66bn and deals by less than 1% to 96,738.
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