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Higher extraction of natural resources as well as enhanced production of food and rubber products led Qatar's industrials production index (IPI) to jump 3.7% year-on-year in December 2021, according to the official data. The country’s IPI saw a 12.5% month-on-month surge in the review period, according to figures released by the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA). The PSA introduced IPI, a short-term quantitative index that measures the changes in the volume of production of a selected basket of industrial products over a given period with respect to a base period 2013. The mining and quarrying index, which has a relative weight of 83.6%, saw a 4.7% increase on a yearly basis owing to a 4.7% expansion in the extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas, while there was a 0.5% decline in other mining and quarrying sectors. On a monthly basis, the index showed a 15.5% zoom owing to a 15.5% increase in the extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas; even as there was a 5.7% contraction in other mining and quarrying sectors. The manufacturing index, with a relative weight of 15.2%, was seen declining 0.5% year-on-year in December 2021 on account of a 9.1% decrease in the printing and reproduction of recorded media, 8.1% in the production of refined petroleum products, 2.3% in beverages and 0.7% in basic metals. Nevertheless, there was a 7.6% expansion in the production of food products, 3.8% in rubber and plastics products, 2.5% in cement and other non-metallic mineral products and 1.3% in chemicals and chemical products. On a monthly basis, the manufacturing index was up 0.9% in December 2021 owing to a 19.5% jump in printing and reproduction of recorded media, 6.3% in basic metals, 2.3% in cement and other non-metallic mineral products, 2.2% in rubber and plastics products and 1% in chemicals and chemical products. However, there was a 4.8% contraction in the production of beverages, 3.9% in refined petroleum products and 2.1% in food products. Electricity, which has a 0.7% weight in the IPI basket, saw its index surge 8.3% year-on-year but shrank 18.1% month-on-month in December 2021. In the case of water, which has a 0.5% weight, there was a 22.3% and 7.5% decrease on a yearly and monthly basis respectively in December 2021.    

CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, is well positioned to serve Qatar, whose maritime sector has been growing on a strong footing in view of the country’s strong macro economy and the trade linkages with the rest of the world, according to its top official. This remark came after the group's 15,000-TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) containership CMA CGM Apollon recently called on Hamad Port, operated by QTerminals and located south of Doha in Umm Al-Houl area, becoming the largest vessel to call Hamad Port since the beginning of the year. CMA CGM APOLLON is 366m long, 51m wide. The vessel joined the group’s fleet earlier in January and is currently on its maiden voyage. After Hamad Port, it will proceed to Dammam and Sohar before heading back to China. "This is an important milestone for us as Qatar welcomes large vessels, and this ad hoc call reaffirms our group’s commitment to support and align with the growing market demand and needs of our customers... We look forward to welcoming more large ships calling Qatari ports soon," Axel Herzhauser, CMA CGM's regional director, Middle East Gulf, ISC, Indian Ocean Islands, Southern and Eastern Africa, told Gulf Times. The French shipping major, which has been in the country for more than a decade, has 32 monthly calls with four direct services connecting Hamad Port to Far East, East Med region and Europe and four feeder services, connecting Hamad Port to main hubs of region, according to its website. CIMEX 3 direct and reliable weekly service links Far East and Qatar and deploys seven vessels. Qingdao direct call was followed by Central China (Shanghai + Ningbo) and South China base port (Shekou). CMA CGM Qatar uses four feeder services to connect Hamad Port to transshipment hubs Mundra, Nhava Sheva and Sohar, Shuwaikh allowing connection to any major port in the world. Hamad Port – whose strategic geographical location offers opportunities to create cargo movement towards the upper Gulf, supporting countries such as Kuwait and Iraq, and south towards Oman – saw 117 ship calls in January 2022. The recent annual Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index found Qatar top all the Gulf Co-operation Council countries for domestic logistics and is the seventh most competitive of the world’s leading emerging markets, a performance driven by its strong business conditions and digital readiness. With the most advanced fleet of containerships, the CMA CGM is fully ready to meet the requirements of its customers in a constantly growing international trade environment, Herzhauser said. The CMA CGM delivers end-to-end solutions to customers by relying on two solid pillars, shipping and logistics, which includes its subsidiary CEVA Logistics and the group’s air freight division, CMA CGM Air Cargo. The group serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. Backed by a fleet of 545 vessels, the CMA CGM transported nearly 21mn TEU containers in 2020.    

The Qatar Stock Exchange yesterday opened the week weak despite strong buying interests from the domestic funds. Notwithstanding the demand for the telecom equities, the 20-stock Qatar Index settled 67 points or 0.53% lower at 12,668.14 points, although it touched an intraday high of 12,740 points. The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices in the market, whose year-to-date gains were at 8.97%. More than 74% of the traded constituents were in the red in the bourse, whose capitalisation saw more than QR4bn or 0.59% decrease to QR719bn, mainly on the back of mid and small cap segments. The local retail investors were seen net buyers, albeit at lower levels, in the market, where the industrials and consumer goods sectors together accounted for about 79% of the trading volume. The foreign funds continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the bourse, which saw a total of 32,782 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR333,119 changed hands across 12 deals. The foreign retail investors were seen net profit takers in the market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Total trade turnover and volumes were on the decline in the bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index shed 0.53% to 25,173.86 points, All Share Index by 0.61% to 3,978.36 points and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.52% to 2,824.9 points. The consumer goods and services sector index declined 0.89%, banks and financial services (0.67%), industrials (0.59%), insurance (0.59%), real estate (0.52%) and transport (0.2%); while telecom gained 0.24%. Major losers in the main market included Mannai Corporation, Gulf International Services, Al Khaleej Takaful, Qatari Investors Group, Inma Holding, Doha Bank, QIIB, Qatari German Medical Devices, Woqod, Qatar Insurance, Mazaya Qatar and Gulf Warehousing. In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares depreciate in value. Nevertheless, Investment Holding Group, Zad Holding, QLM, Doha Insurance and Qatar Islamic Insurance were among the gainers in the main market. In the juniour bourse, Mekdam Holding saw its shares appreciate in value. The Gulf funds turned net sellers to the tune of QR16.26mn compared with net buyers of QR15.31mn on February 17. The foreign individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR13.48mn against net buyers of QR3.53mn last Thursday. The foreign institutions’ net buying fell significantly to QR1.96mn compared to QR175.48mn the previous day. The Arab individuals’ net buying declined noticeably to QR1.73mn against QR3.76mn on February 17. However, the domestic funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR24.34mn compared with net sellers of QR63.46mn last Thursday. Qatari individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR1.43mn against net profit takers of QR134.89mn the previous trading day. The Gulf individuals’ net buying strengthened marginally to QR0.27mn compared to QR0.17mn on February 17. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers of QR0.09mn last Thursday. Total trade volume in the main market fell 28% to 190.91mn shares, value by 49% to QR434.04mn and transactions by 38% to 8,790. The transport sector reported 80% plunge in trade volume to 1.15mn equities, 80% in value to QR4.65mn and 78% in deals to 129. The banks and financial services sector’s volume plummeted 61% to 19.88mn stocks, value by 79% to QR90.81mn and transactions by 54% to 2,612. There was 57% shrinkage in the telecom sector’s volume to 2mn shares, 44% in value to QR8.52n and 47% in deals to 501. The real estate sector’s trade volume tanked 51% to 13.57mn equities, value by 55% to QR18.7mn and transactions by 36% to 651. The market witnessed 27% contraction in the industrials sector’s trade volume to 95.64mn stocks, 15% in value to QR222.12mn and 19% in deals to 3,481. However, the insurance sector’s trade volume soared 31% to 4.77mn shares, value by 45% to QR16.47mn and transactions by 16% to 331. The consumer goods and services sector reported 28% surge in trade volume to 54.9mn equities but on 2% dip in value to QR72.77mn and 26% in deals to 1,085. In the venture market, volumes more than doubled to 3.09mn stocks and value more than doubled to QR30.4mn on 51.71% increase in transactions to 977.

QNB, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa region, will undertake a solution-led wholesale banking approach rather than pursuing a product-push way. "We will develop a solution-led wholesale banking approach, aiming to place a greater focus on offering client-centric solutions, rather than taking a product-push approach," QNB said in its 2021 annual report. This would be supported by a range of enhanced products, upgraded data infrastructure, analytical tools and training, the report added. By capitalising on development in areas such as open banking, robotics process automation (RPA), big data and analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and digitisation and automation, the bank's strategy would benefit it and all the stakeholders. "By embedding analytics into the fabric of our global transactional banking business, we will ensure that we deliver a seamless transaction banking proposition across our entire global footprint," it said, adding the move would be supported by an investment in digital channels and processing capabilities. In parallel, the lender would offer advanced solutions and analytics beyond traditional banking products with the help of strategic partnerships. Highlighting that its ability to drive growth in the new normal is underpinned by the continuing efforts to effectively future-proof its business; QNB said "changes in the regulatory landscape, customer behaviours and the entry of new competitors such as Fintech, BigTech and non-bank players are increasingly challenging the ways of operating in the banking sector." "We are constantly pushing ourselves to use innovation to find new revenue opportunities, protect our existing businesses, create cost-saving opportunities and adjust our operating models, thus mitigating the effects of technological disruption and financial disintermediation," it said. With this in mind, the bank has positioned innovation as a "critical strategic" enabler to support its long-term strategy. "We have identified emerging, long-term trends that we see as opportunities to build into our business model to continue our growth journey. As part of this approach, we use data, advanced analytics, digital technologies, automation and new delivery platforms to strengthen the bank and generate more opportunities," it said. Its group-wide innovation centre, QNBeyond, has created momentum across the organisation, promoting innovation and best-practice through a series of successful employee boot camps. QNB said it continues to work closely with the Qatar Fintech Hub to evaluate new Fintech solutions in the investments, crowdfunding and payments space that best fit the local market. Stressing that it has begun to reap the benefits of the harmonisation of innovation governance of the previous years; it said the collective approach to innovation help foster collaboration, embed best-practice and provide additional revenue opportunities and efficiencies at scale across the network. "As such, we are constantly evaluating new ideas across our network to identify potential synergies for innovation and new initiatives within relevant markets," it said.

The Ukrainian crisis had cast its shadow across the global bourses, which was partly reflected in the overall weak sentiments in the Qatar Stock Exchange and capitalisation eroded almost QR8bn this week. Notwithstanding the increased net buying interests of foreign institutions, the 20-stock Qatar Index fell 0.57% this week, which saw Barwa report net profit of QR1.11bn in 2021. The foreign individuals were seen net buyers this week, which saw Qatar Electricity and Water Company register QR1.47bn as net profit for the year ended 2021. The Gulf individuals were seen increasingly into net buying this week, which saw Haithem Katerj, chief executive of Al Rayan Investment Company, view that despite the current weakness, the outlook for the general index remains optimistic. A QNA report said his optimism was supported by expectations of continued high commodity prices, an increase in interest rates by the US Federal Reserve, in addition to the approaching date of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. "Managing to surpass the recent high at 12,843 point (highest level since Decembner-2014) would most likely open the space for a gradual increase to 13,180 points and 13,950 points," Kamco Invest said in its technical analysis. Nevertheless, about 62% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main market this week, which saw Ooredoo ring in QR46.92mn net profit in 2021. The domestic funds were increasingly into net profit booking this week, which saw Gulf International Services’ 2021 net profit at QR54mn. The Islamic equities were seen gaining vis-à-vis declines in the other indices this week, which saw Baladna announcing its intention to invest as much as $500mn in the Philippines for establishing a large-scale fully integrated dairy plant. The local retail investors’ net selling strengthened notably this week, which saw a total of 174,444 Doha Bank-sponsored exchange traded funds QETF valued at QR2.17mn change hands across 39 transactions. The Arab individuals’ net selling increased considerably in the market this week, which saw as many as 80,735 Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored QATR worth QR225,902 trade across 23 deals. Market capitalisation saw 1.08% decrease to QR723.3bn, mainly on mid and small cap segments this week, which saw the industrials, banking and consumer goods sectors together constitute about 79% of the total trade volume. The Total Return Index shed 0.19% and All Share Index by 0.29%, while All Islamic Index was up 0.09% this week which saw the country’s core inflation rise faster than the general consumer price index in January 2022. The insurance index tanked 2.55%, industrials (0.53%), consumer goods and services (0.45%) and banks and financial services (0.23%); while telecom declined 1.65%, transport (0.37%) and real estate (0.08%) this week which saw no trading of treasury bills. Major losers in the main market included Qatar Insurance, QNB, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Ahlibank Qatar, Zad Holding, Masraf Al Rayan, Widam Food, Industries Qatar, Qamco, QLM, Ezdan and Gulf Warehousing this week which saw no trading of sovereign bonds and treasury bills. Nevertheless, Investment Holding Group, Aamal Company, Gulf International Services, Mannai Corporation, Inma Holding, Qatar Islamic Bank, Doha Bank, QIIB, Qatar Islamic Insurance and Ooredoo were among the movers in the main market. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mekdam Holding saw its shares appreciate in value this week which saw the overall trade volume and value on the increase. In the main market, the industrials sector accounted for 41% of the total trade volume, consumer goods and services (19%), banks and financial services (19%), real estate (13%), telecom and transport (3% each), and insurance (2%) this week. In terms of value, the banks and financial services sector’s share was 41%, industrials (31%), consumer goods and services (11%), realty (6%), transport and telecom (4% each) and insurance (2%) this week. The domestic funds’ net selling increased substantially to QR422.97mn compared to QR94.5mn the week ended February 10. Qatari individuals’ net selling rose considerably to QR309.19mn against QR283.23mn the previous week. The Arab individuals’ net profit booking shot up markedly to QR24.5mn compared to QR0.83mn a week ago. The Arab funds turned net sellers to the tune of QR0.09mn against net buyers of QR0.93mn the week ended February 10. The Gulf institutions’ net buying decreased significantly to QR15.57mn compared to QR55.49mn the previous week. However, the foreign funds’ net buying strengthened drastically to QR735.11mn against QR335.98mn a week ago. The foreign individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR4.16mn compared with net sellers of QR15.34mn the week ended February 10. The Gulf individuals’ net buying increased marginally to QR1.93mn against QR1.51mn the previous week. Total trade volume in the main market rose 12% to 1.01bn shares, value by 10% to QR3.39bn and transactions by 25% to 74,362. The real estate sector’s trade volume soared 80% to 136.4mn equities and value more than doubled to QR218.87mn on 76% increase in deals to 5,447. The market witnessed 42% surge in the telecom sector’s trade volume to 34.81mn stocks, 35% in value to QR149.73mn and 54% in transactions to 6,234. The industrials sector’s trade volume shot up 28% to 414.3mn shares, while value shrank 21% to QR1.06bn despite 9% higher deals at 20,277. The banks and financial services sector saw 17% expansion in trade volume to 193.57mn equities, 55% in value to QR1.39bn and 44% in transactions to 29,033. However, the consumer goods and services sector’s trade volume plummeted 28% to 187.88mn stocks, value by 4% to QR379.4mn and deals by 9% to 6,568. There was 18% plunge in the insurance sector’s trade volume to 16.56mn shares and 22% in value to QR53.36mn but on 15% jump in transactions to 1,882. The transport sector’s trade volume tanked 14% to 29.14mn equities and value by 18% to QR143.53mn; whereas deals were up 3% to 4,921. The venture market witnessed 26.06% expansion in volumes to 4.16mn stocks, 29.46% in value to QR37.62mn and 62.94% in transactions to 1,952.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Thursday witnessed buying interests at the consumer goods and services counters but overall it settled in the negative. The increased net buying by foreign institutions notwithstanding, the 20-stock Qatar Index settled 11 points or 0.08% lower at 12,735.35 points, although it touched an intraday high of more than 12,740 points. The Islamic index was seen gaining vis-à-vis declines in the other indices in the market, whose year-to-date gains were at 9.54%. About 67% of the traded constituents were in the red in the bourse, whose capitalisation saw about QR3bn or 0.37% decrease to QR723.3bn, mainly on the back of small cap segments. The local retail investors were increasingly net profit takers in the market, where the industrials and banking sectors together accounted for about 69% of the trading volume. The Arab retail investors’ lesser net buying interests had its influence on the bourse, which saw a total of 34,958 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR352,434 changed hands across 13 deals. The Gulf retail investors’ net buying also weakened in the market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Total trade turnover rose amidst lower volumes in the bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index was down 0.08% to 25,307.4 points and the All Share Index by 0.27% to 4,002.62 points, while the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) rose 0.04% to 2,839.73 points. The insurance index declined 1.67%, real estate (0.44%), transport (0.38%), banks and financial services (0.37%), telecom (0.18%) and industrials (0.02%); while consumer goods and services gained 0.54%. Major losers in the main market included Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Inma Holding, Doha Bank, Commercial Bank, Mannai Corporation, Qatar Oman Investment, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Qamco, Qatar Insurance, Al Khaleej Takaful, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Ezdan and Gulf Warehousing. Nevertheless, Investment Holding Group, Gulf International Services, Widam Food, Qatar Islamic Bank and Woqod were among the gainers in the main market. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mekdam Holding saw their shares appreciate in value. Qatari individuals’ net profit booking roe drastically to QR134.89mn compared to QR30.46mn on February 16. The Arab individuals’ net buying declined noticeably to QR3.76mn against QR9.8mn the previous day. The Gulf individuals’ net buying weakened perceptibly to QR0.17mn compared to QR2.97mn on Wednesday. However, the foreign institutions’ net buying grew significantly to QR175.48mn against QR161.25mn on February 16. The Gulf funds’ net buying shot up considerably to QR15.31mn compared to QR4.26mn the previous day. The foreign individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR3.53mn against net sellers of QR5.72mn on Wednesday. The Arab institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.09mn compared with no major net exposure on February 16. The domestic funds’ net selling weakened significantly to QR63.46mn against QR112.05mn the previous day. Total trade volume in the main market fell 2% to 264.55mn shares, while value rose 1% to QR858.37mn amidst 33% lower transactions at 14,281. There was a 44% plunge in the telecom sector’s volume to 3.63mn equities, 65% in value to QR15.24mn and 60% in deals to 942. The real estate sector’s trade volume plummeted 42% to 25.81mn stocks, value by 51% to QR41.97mn and transactions by 55% to 1,010. The transport sector reported a 37% plunge in trade volume to 5.86mn shares, 54% in value to QR22.95mn and 64% in deals to 595. The insurance sector’s trade volume tanked 32% to 3.63mn equities, value by 33% to QR11.35mn and transactions by 60% to 286. The banks and financial services sector saw a 13% shrinkage in trade volume to 51.13mn stocks but on 45% growth in value to QR431.22mn despite 28% lower deals at 5,680. However, the industrials sector’s trade volume soared 25% to 130.49mn shares and value by 4% to QR261.36mn; while transactions dipped 21% to 4,295. The market witnessed an 8% jump in the consumer goods and services sector’s trade volume to 43.02mn equities but on 30% contraction in value to QR74.3mn and 16% in deals to 1,466. In the venture market, volumes grew 10.78% to 1.13mn stocks, value by 13.81% to QR10.63mn and transactions by 54.81% to 644.    

The Qatar Stock Exchange Wednesday saw about 74% of the traded constituents extend gains, thus propelling its key barometer near the 12,750 levels. A higher than average demand in the telecom, insurance, consumer goods and real estate counters led the 20-stock Qatar Index settle 32 points or 0.25% higher at 12,746.1 points, recovering from an intraday low of 12,709 points. The Arab individuals turned net buyers in the market, whose year-to-date gains were at 9.64%. The Gulf institutions were also seen bullish in the bourse, whose capitalisation saw more than QR3bn or 0.49% increase to QR726bn, mainly on the back of mid and small cap segments. The Gulf retail investors were increasingly net buyers in the market, where the industrials and banking sectors together accounted for more than 60% of the trading volume. The weakened net selling pressure from the local retail investors in the bourse, which saw a total of 68,398 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR796,186 changed hands across 13 deals. The Islamic index was seen gaining faster than the main barometer in the market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Total trade turnover and volumes were on the increase in the bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index was up 0.25% to 25,328.77 points, Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.6% to 2,838.49 points and All Share Index by 0.38% to 4,013.21 points. The telecoms sector index surged 2.14%, insurance (1.33%), consumer goods and services (0.91%), realty (0.83%), transport (0.31%), industrials (0.3%) and banks and financial services (0.15%). Major movers in the main market included Mannai Corporation, Inma Holding, Dlala, Investment Holding Group, Doha Bank, Alijarah Holding, Qatari German Medical Devices, Salam International Investment, Qatari Investors Group, Aamal Company, Gulf International Services, Qatar Insurance, Al Khaleej Takaful, Ezdan, Ooredoo and Milaha. In the venture market, Mekdam Holding saw its shares appreciate in value. Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Nakilat, Qatar National Cement, Qatar Electricity and Water and Commercial Bank were among the losers in the main market. The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR9.8mn compared with net sellers of QR4.28mn on February 15. The Gulf institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR4.26mn against net sellers of QR11.98 the previous day. The Gulf individuals’ net buying expanded markedly to QR2.97mn compared to QR0.63mn on Tuesday. Qatari individuals’ net selling declined noticeably to QR30.46mn against QR58.78mn on February 15. However, the domestic funds’ net profit booking grew noticeably to QR142.1mn compared to QR112.05mn the previous day. The foreign individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR5.72mn against net buyers of QR6.34mn on Tuesday. The foreign institutions’ net buying decreased notably to QR161.25mn compared to QR180.08mn on February 15. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers of QR0.04mn the previous day. Total trade volume in the main market rose 76% to 270.44mn shares, value by 48% to QR849.28mn and transactions by 58% to 21,250. The real estate sector’s trade volume more than doubled to 44.55mn equities and value almost tripled to QR86.16mn on almost tripled deals to 2,257. The industrials sector’s trade volume more than doubled to 104.31mn stocks, value soared 83% to QR251.17mn and transactions by 75% to 5,445. The banks and financial services sector’s trade volume more than doubled to 58.69mn shares, value gained 10% to QR296.66mn and deals by 36% to 7,878. The insurance sector reported 84% surge in trade volume to 5.33mn equities and value almost doubled to QR16.99mn on almost tripled transactions to 709. The transport sector’s trade volume zoomed 58% to 9.25mn stocks, value by 60% to QR49.74mn and deals by 36% to 1,640. There was 43% expansion in the telecom sector’s volume to 8.3mn shares, 46% in value to QR43.07mn and 37% in transactions to 1,582. However, the consumer goods and services sector’s trade volume shrank 4% to 40mn equities, whereas value shot up 54% to QR105.49mn and deals by 53% to 1,739. In the venture market, volumes were seen rising 3.03% to 1.02mn stocks and value by 5.78% to QR9.34mn but on 17.95% contraction in transactions to 416.

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Tuesday crossed the 12,700 levels, mainly steered by transport and real estate sectors. Attractive dividend yield in certain sectors continued to lift the sentiments, which led the 20-stock Qatar Index settle 0.17% higher at 12,714.32 points, recovering from an intraday low of 12,635 points. The foreign institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the market, whose year-to-date gains were at 9.36%. About 57% of the traded constituents extended gains in the bourse, whose capitalisation saw QR73mn or 0.1% increase to QR722.49bn, mainly on the back of microcap segments. The weakened net selling pressure from domestic funds had its influence in the market, where the industrials and consumer goods sectors together accounted for more than 52% of the trading volume. The local retail investors’ lesser selling pressure also had its role in the bourse, which saw a total of 41,043 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR452,224 changed hands across 10 deals. The Gulf retail investors were seen bullish, albeit at lower levels, in the market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Total trade turnover declined amidst higher volumes in the bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index was up 0.17% to 25,265.61 points, All Share Index by 0.09% to 3,998.1 points and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.15% to 2,821.46 points. The transport index soared 1.81%, real estate (0.75%) and industrials (0.07%); while consumer goods and services declined 0.46%, banks and financial services (0.03%), telecom (0.02%) and insurance (0.01%). Major gainers in the main market included Aamal Company, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Gulf Warehousing, Nakilat, Salam International Investment, Qatar First Bank, Mannai Corporation, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Investment Holding Group, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Barwa and Milaha. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mekdam Holding saw their shares appreciate in value. Nevertheless, Qatar National Cement, Zad Holding, Al Khaleej Insurance, Gulf International Services, Medicare Group, Qatar Insurance and Industries Qatar were among the losers in the main market. The domestic funds’ net selling declined markedly to QR112.05mn compared to QR134.14mn on February 14. Qatari individuals’ net profit booking fell drastically to QR58.78mn against QR80.18mn the previous day. The Gulf individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.63mn compared with net sellers of QR0.3mn on Monday. The Arab institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR0.04mn against net sellers of QR0.22mn on February 14. However, the Gulf funds’ net selling grew considerably to QR11.98mn compared to QR0.02mn the previous day. The Arab individuals’ net profit booking strengthened noticeably to QR4.28mn against QR3.42mn on Monday. The foreign institutions’ net buying weakened significantly to QR180.08mn compared to QR211.78mn on February 14. The foreign individuals’ net selling eased marginally to QR6.34mn against QR6.5mn the previous day. Total trade volume in the main market rose 9% to 153.86mn shares, while value fell 13% to QR574.68mn and transactions by 13% to 13,424. The consumer goods and services sector’s trade volume soared 81% to 41.54mn equities and value by 2% to QR68.34mn, while deals were flat at 1,134. The transport sector reported 58% surge in trade volume to 5.87mn stocks, 59% in value to QR31.18mn and 38% in transactions to 1,202. The banks and financial services sector’s trade volume was up 5% to 28.28mn shares, while value declined 7% to QR270.43mn and deals by 19% to 5,862. However, there was 13% plunge in the telecom sector’s volume to 5.79mn equities, 13% in value to QR29.5mn and 29% in transactions to 1,152. The industrials sector’s trade volume plummeted 11% to 51.91mn stocks, value by 36% to QR137.22mn and deals by 24% to 3,113. The insurance sector reported 9% contraction in trade volume to 2.89mn shares, value by 25% to QR8.57mn and transactions by 41% to 250. The real estate sector’s trade volume was down 9% to 17.57mn equities, while value expanded 17% to QR29.45mn and deals by 17% to 771. In the venture market, volumes almost tripled to 0.99mn stocks and value more than doubled to QR8.83mn on almost tripled transactions to 507.

The core inflation in Qatar's grew faster than the general consumer price index (CPI) inflation year-on-year in January 2022, according to the official statistics. The CPI of January 2022 excluding “housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, surged 5.49% year-on-year; while the general CPI inflation rose 4.16% in the review period, said the figures released by the Planning and Statistics Authority. Qatar's cost of living, based on CPI inflation, rose on a yearly basis this January mainly on higher expenses towards recreation, food, transport and clothing. In its latest Qatar Economic Outlook, PSA said the country is expected to see imported and domestic inflationary pressures due to the rise in prices of basic commodities in global markets caused by the bottlenecks in commodity supply chains as well as the negative repercussions of expansionary financial and monetary policies. On a monthly basis, the country's CPI inflation was down 0.97%; while core inflation fell 1.31% in January 2022. The index of recreation and culture, which has an 11.13% weight in the CPI basket, soared 26.42% year-on-year even as it shrank 7.73% month-on-month in January 2022. Food and beverages, which has a weight of 13.45% in the CPI basket, witnessed 7.23% and 1.91% expansion on yearly and monthly basis respectively in January 2022. The index of transport, which has a 14.59% weight, was seen shooting up 6.58% year-on-year but declined 0.28% on monthly basis this January. The sector has the direct linkage to the dismantling of the administered prices in petrol and diesel as part of the government measures to lower the subsidies. In January 2022, the price of super, premium gasoline and diesel witnessed a huge 68.95%, 53.85% and 57.69% surge year-on-year respectively. On a monthly basis, the price of super and premium was flat but diesel became costlier by 2.5%. Miscellaneous goods and services, with a 5.65% weight, saw its index jump 2.55% and 0.41% year-on-year and month-on-month in January 2022. The index of clothing and footwear, which has a 5.58% weight in the CPI basket, was seen gaining 1.99% on a yearly basis but plummeted 2.63% on a monthly basis in January 2022. Communication, which carries a 5.23% weight, saw its group index rise 0.57% and 0.7% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in the review period. Education, with a 5.78% weight, saw its index jump 0.48%on a yearly basis but was down 0.02% month-on-month this January. In the case of furniture and household equipment, which has a 7.88% weight in the CPI basket, the index grew 0.34% on a yearly basis but was down 0.33% month-on-month in January this year. However, the index of health, which has a 2.65% weight, plunged 3.09% and 2.51% on a yearly and monthly basis respectively in January this year. The index of restaurants and hotels, which has a 6.61% weight, tanked 2.7% and 3.47% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in January 2022. The index of housing, water, electricity and other fuels – with a weight of 21.17% in the CPI basket – saw 1.31% shrinkage on a yearly basis but was up 0.6% on a monthly basis this January The tobacco index, which has a 0.28% weight, was unchanged on yearly and monthly basis in the review period.

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Monday bounced back with a modest 56 points gain, reflecting the strengthened global oil prices due to the protracting Ukrainian crisis. Attractive dividend yield in certain sectors helped lift the sentiments, which led the 20-stock Qatar Index settle 0.44% higher at 12,693.09 points, recovering from an intraday low of 12,512 points. The foreign institutions were increasingly into net buying in the market, whose year-to-date gains were at 9.18%. The foreign individuals were seen bullish in the bourse, whose capitalisation saw QR34mn or 0.05% increase to QR721.76bn, mainly on the back of microcap segments. About 61% of the traded constituents extended gains in the market, where the industrials, banking and consumer goods sectors together accounted for about 77% of the trading volume. The banking, industrials and transport counters witnessed higher than average demand in the bourse, which saw a total of 65,856 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR429,780 changed hands across 14 deals. The Arab and Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking eased marginally in the market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Total trade turnover grew amidst lower volumes in the bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index shot up 0.83% to 25,223.44 points, the All Share Index by 0.81% to 3,994.32 points and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.56% to 2,817.27 points. The banks and financial services sector index expanded 1.03%, industrials (0.89%), transport (0.88%), telecom (0.46%) and consumer goods and services (0.05%); while insurance and real estate declined 0.34% and 0.05% respectively. Major gainers included Qatar National Cement, Industries Qatar, Commercial Bank, Al Meera, Qamco, Masraf Al Rayan, Dlala, Widam Food, Qatar Electricity and Water, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Qatar Islamic Insurance and Milaha. In the venture market, Mekdam Holding saw its shares gain in value. Nevertheless, Mannai Corporation, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, QNB, Gulf Warehousing, Qatar Insurance and Mazaya Qatar were among the losers in the main market. In the juniour bourse, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares depreciate in value. Foreign institutions’ net buying increased significantly to QR211.78mn compared to QR6.52mn on February 13. Foreign individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR6.5mn against net sellers of QR6.48mn on Sunday. Arab individuals’ net selling weakened substantially to QR3.42mn compared to QR30.35mn the previous day. Gulf individuals’ net profit booking eased perceptibly to QR0.3mn against QR1.55mn on February 13. However, the domestic funds were net sellers to the extent of QR134.14mn compared with net buyers of QR28.778mn on Sunday. Qatari individuals’ net profit booking strengthened drastically to QR80.18mn against QR4.89mn the previous day. Arab institutions were net sellers to the extent of QR0.22mn compared with no major net exposure on February 13. Gulf institutions turned net profit takers to the tune of QR0.02mn against net buyers of QR7.99mn on Sunday. Total trade volume in the main market fell 23% to 141.18mn shares, while value rose 48% to QR663.08mn and transactions by 68% to 15,935. The insurance sector’s trade volume more than doubled to 3.17mn equities and value also more than doubled to QR11.37mn on almost-doubled deals to 422. However, the consumer goods and services sector reported a 43% plunge in trade volume to 22.89mn stocks but on 4% increase in value to QR66.9mn and 4% in transactions to 1,134. The real estate sector’s trade volume plummeted 33% to 19.37mn shares, value by 30% to QR25.16mn and deals by 12% to 660. There was a 29% shrinkage in the telecom sector’s volume to 6.69mn equities but on 22% expansion in value to QR34.01mn and 77% in transactions to 1,630. The transport sector’s trade volume tanked 16% to 3.72mn stocks and value by 2% to QR19.61mn, whereas deals zoomed 41% to 869. The market witnessed a 15% contraction in the industrials sector’s trade volume to 58.45mn shares but on 9% jump in value to QR214.19mn and 23% in transactions to 4,096. The banks and financial services sector’s trade volume was down 6% to 26.89mn equities amidst more than tripled value to QR291.85mn and more than doubled deals to 7,124. In the venture market, volumes were seen dipping 50% to 0.34mn stocks, value by 47.5% to QR3.04mn and transactions by 20.09% to 171.    

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Sunday saw domestic institutions turn net buyers even as it settled in the negative turf, with its key barometer losing as much as 172 points to below 12,700 levels, reflecting the Russia-Ukraine crisis. An across the board selling – especially in the transport, insurance, industrials and consumer goods – yesterday dragged the 20-stock Qatar Index 1.34% to 12,637.36 points, although it touched an intraday high of more than 12,800 levels. The Arab individuals were seen hurriedly squaring off their position in the market, whose year-to-date gains were at 8.7%. The foreign institutions’ net buying weakened considerably in the bourse, whose capitalisation saw about QR10bn or 1.33% decrease to QR721.42bn, mainly on the back of mid and microcap cap segments. More than 91% of the traded constituents were in the red in the market, where the industrials and consumer goods sectors together accounted for about 60% of the trading volume. The Gulf retail investors were also seen increasingly into net profit booking in the bourse, which saw a total of 44,924 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR365,427 changed hands across 12 deals. The local retail investors continued to be net sellers but with lesser vigour in the market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Total trade turnover and volumes were on the decline in the bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index tanked 1.34% to 25,016.42 points, the All Share Index by 1.3% to 3,962.21 points and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 1.26% to 2,801.15 points. The transport sector index shrank 2.21%, insurance (1.85%), industrials (1.76%), consumer goods and services (1.48%), banks and financial services (1%), real estate (1%) and telecom (0.74%). Major losers included Industries Qatar, Commercial Bank, Dlala, Qatari Investors Group, Gulf International Services, Milaha, Masraf Al Rayan, Alijarah Holding, Qamco, Qatar Insurance, QLM, Ezdan, Milaha, Nakilat, Qatari German Medical Devices, Salam International Investment, Widam Food, Mannai Corporation and Baladna. In the venture market, Mekdam Holding saw its shares depreciate in value. Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Investment Holding Group, Aamal Company and Medicare Group were among the gainers in the main market. The Arab individuals’ net selling increased substantially to QR30.35mn compared to QR6.65mn on February 10. The foreign individuals’ net profit booking expanded markedly to QR6.48mn against QR2.11mn last Thursday. The Gulf individuals’ net selling grew perceptibly to QR1.55mn compared to QR0.33mn the previous trading day. The foreign institutions’ net buying weakened drastically to QR6.52mn against QR177.38mn on February 10. The Gulf institutions’ net buying eased considerably to QR7.99mn compared to QR20.57mn last Thursday. However, the domestic funds were net buyers to the tune of QR28.778mn against net sellers of QR8.36mn the previous trading day. Qatari individuals’ net profit booking dropped significantly to QR4.89mn compared to QR180.93mn on February 10. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers of QR0.44mn last Thursday. Total trade volume in the main market fell 40% to 182.63mn shares, value by 51% to QR447.32mn and transactions by 48% to 9,472. The consumer goods and services sector’s trade volume plummeted 69% to 40.43mn equities, value by 57% to QR64.38mn and deals by 53% to 1,095. The transport sector reported a 60% plunge in trade volume to 4.45mn stocks, 69% in value to QR20.03n and 64% in transactions to 615. The insurance sector’s trade volume tanked 55% to 1.53mn shares, value by 67% to QR5.09mn and deals by 38% to 215. The banks and financial services sector saw a 48% shrinkage in trade volume to 28.57mn equities, 68% in value to QR96.92mn and 58% in transactions to 2,549. The telecom sector’s volume shrank 9% to 9.41mn stocks, value by 45% to QR27.93mn and deals by 42% to 921. There was a 5% contraction in the industrials sector’s trade volume to 69.14mn shares, 32% in value to QR196.84mn and 33% in transactions to 3,328. However, the real estate sector’s trade volume shot up 28% to 29.1mn equities and value by 12% to QR36.14mn, whereas deals declined 29% to 749. In the venture market, volumes were seen dipping 8.11% to 0.68mn stocks and value by 10.09% to QR5.79mn but on 4.39% expansion in transactions to 214.    

*Hamad Port's container capacity rises to 3mn TEUs per year   QTerminals has started full-scale operations of the first and second phases of Hamad Port’s second container terminal (CT2), thus enhancing the port’s total capacity to 3mn TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent) per year. The development of CT2 was completed within budget and the timetable set out, despite the difficulties posed by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The CT2 -- equipped with the latest environmentally friendly, technologically advanced equipment to keep pace with the needs and requirements of the global shipping lines -- is focused towards increasing the volume of the intra-regional trade of Qatar and with countries world-wide, as well as improving the country’s competitiveness by turning it into regional business hub. QTerminals, which manages and operates CT1 and CT2 of Hamad Port has so far completed more than 6mn man-hours without a lost time incident during operations and the development works of CT2. The CT2 development project consists of four phases. The area of Phases 1 and 2 of Hamad Port’s CT2 is 380,000 sqm and the quayside is 624m long. Phases 3 and 4 would be developed later to raise the port’s operational capacity according to local market needs. The equipment deployed in phases 1 and 2 of CT2 include seven super post-Panamax STS (ship-to-shore) quay cranes with advanced technology, including semi-automation and remote-control operations. STS cranes are known for being extremely fast and highly efficient in handling containers and capable of handling the latest class of vessels. Each crane can handle four 20’ containers or two 40’ containers at the same time. The CT2 is equipped with 26 RTGs (rubber tyre gantry cranes) which can stack the containers six tiers high. CT2’s RTGs are battery hybrid and are used to handle containers on the landside. This technology reduces the environmental impact of RTG operations by reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The CT2 has 22 fully electric terminal tractors (APM 75T HE) for container transportation within the terminal and the port. This type of terminal tractor is capable of functioning very efficiently in high temperatures and is equipped with advanced batteries, entirely solid-state technology, insensitive to temperature variations from -20 to +160°C. They are also eco-friendly and save energy. Being fully electric makes them clean and sustainable with no pollution, carbon emissions or noise. They have low operational costs as each tractor will save nearly QR45,000 per year compared to diesel powered tractors - one kilowatt per hour costs are QR0.32 in electric tractors and QR2.32 per litre in diesel powered ones. During the development of CT2, Qatar National Vision 2030 has been followed, which supports increasing the national manufacturing capacity and to deploy the latest technologies that are based on environmental sustainability and clean energy. Over 70% of the materials used in the development of the infrastructure of CT2 were 'Made in Qatar’ to the very latest specifications. The CT2’s service buildings and infrastructure have been completed, including the diesel generator house, main intake substation, reefer stack gantries, quayside amenities, 5G network, ELV and SSD systems and storm water networks. The terminal gates for both CT1 and CT2 are automatic with seamless connections to the operations systems and electronic data exchange. (Ends)    

Strengthened global energy prices and robust 2021 earnings of the underlying industrial equities had their reflection in the Qatar Stock Exchange, which gained a massive 154 points this week. The Gulf institutions were seen bullish as the 20-stock Qatar Index gained 1.22% this week, which saw Qatar continue to signal strong growth in non-energy private sector at the start of this year. Expecting the key index to surpass 13,000 levels; an economic analyst Abdulla al-Khater, as quoted by QNA, said the bourse is set to return to its pre-Covid levels, which is a clear evidence of the recovery that the listed companies are going through. “The index and the national economy benefit from the rise in oil prices in global markets and from the purchasing power of the dollar, considering the riyals link to the dollar, which means more stability for the QSE index,” he said. More than 53% of the traded constituents extended gains in the main market this week, which saw the Industries Qatar (IQ) report QR8.09bn net profit during 2021. Foreign funds continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity this week, which saw Nakilat report QR1.35bn in net profit during 2021. The Islamic equities were seen gaining faster than the other indices this week, which saw Milaha’s 2021 net profit at QR724.15mn. The local retail investors’ net selling weakened considerably this week, which saw a total of 441,032 Doha Bank-sponsored exchange traded funds QETF valued at QR5.49mn change hands across 71 transactions. The domestic funds’ weakened net profit booking also had its influence in the market this week, which saw as many as 510,954 Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored QATR worth QR1.43mn trade across 77 deals. Market capitalisation saw more than QR6bn or 0.87% increase to QR731.16bn, mainly on large and midcap segments this week, which saw the industrials and consumer goods sectors together constitute about 65% of the total trade volume. The Total Return Index rose 1.22%, All Share Index by 0.58% and All Islamic Index by 1.47% this week which saw a global credit rating agency Capital Intelligence affirm long term and short term foreign currency rating of Qatar at ‘AA-‘. The industrials index soared 5.92%, telecom (1%) and consumer goods and services (0.78%); while transport declined 3.44%, real estate (1.84%), banks and financial services (0.94%) and insurance (0.27%) this week, which saw no trading of treasury bills. Major gainers in the main market included IQ, Inma Holding, Ooredoo, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Qamco, Salam International Investment, Qatar Oman Investment, Dlala, Alijarah Holding, Qatari German Medical Devices, Investment Holding Group and Qatar Islamic Insurance this week which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Nevertheless, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Mannai Corporation, Doha Bank, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, United Development Company, Commercial Bank, Ezdan, Milaha, Gulf Warehousing and Nakilat in the main market. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mekdam Holding saw their shares depreciate in value this week, which saw the overall trade volume and value on the increase. In the main market, the industrials sector accounted for 36% of the total trade volume, consumer goods and services (29%), banks and financial services (18%), real estate (8%), transport (4%), telecom (3%) and insurance (2%) this week. In terms of value, the industrials sector’s share was 43% of the total, banks and financial services (29%), consumer goods and services (13%), transport (6%), telecom (4%), realty (3%) and insurance (2%) this week. The Gulf institutions’ net buying increased markedly to QR55.49mn compared to QR36.93mn the week ended February 3. The Gulf individuals’ net buying grew perceptibly to QR1.51mn against QR0.57mn the previous week. The Arab institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.93mn compared with net sellers of QR0.44mn a week ago. Qatari individuals’ net selling declined considerably to QR283.23mn against QR352.37mn the week ended February 3. The domestic funds’ net profit booking shrank drastically to QR94.5mn compared to QR107.59mn the previous week. However, the foreign individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR15.34mn against net buyers of QR4.92mn a week ago. The Arab individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR0.83mn compared with net buyers of QR2.57mn the week ended February 3. The foreign institutions’ net buying weakened significantly to QR335.98mn against QR415.41mn the previous week. Total trade volume in the main market rose 5% to 901.95mn shares and value by 6% to QR3.1bn; while transactions were down 5% to 59,545. The consumer goods and services sector’s trade volume soared 96% to 259.51mn equities and value by 14% to QR393.7mn, while deals fell 2% to 7,210. There was 18% surge jump in the industrials sector’s trade volume to 322.59mn stocks, 64% in value to QR1.35bn and 17% in transactions to 18,562. However, the real estate sector’s trade volume plummeted 48% to 75.62mn shares, value by 54% to QR104.54mn and deals by 35% to 3,088. The market witnessed 40% plunge in the telecom sector’s trade volume to 24.44mn equities and 30% in value to QR111.31mn but on 1% jump in transactions to 4,051. The transport sector’s trade volume tanked 25% to 34.02mn stocks and value by 28% to QR176.07mn; whereas deals zoomed 12% to 4,792. The banks and financial services sector saw 16% contraction in trade volume to 165.5mn shares, 16% in value to QR896.85mn and 17% in transactions to 22,209. The insurance sector’s trade volume was down 5% to 20.27mn equities; while value jumped 8% to QR68.59n amidst 19% lower deals at 1,633. In the venture market, volumes dipped 70.46% to 3.3mn stocks, value by 69.18% to QR29.06mn and transactions by 58.55% to 1,198.    

Qatar was the second largest projects market in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) during 2021, thanks to a better-than-usual $19.4bn contract awards in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, according to Kamco Invest, a regional financial powerhouse. Overall, the country recorded a more than 93% year-on-year surge in contract awards to $25.1bn during the fiscal year 2021, Kamco Invest said in a report. In terms of sectors, Qatar’s gas sector took the lion’s share of projects in 2021 recording a total of $19.3bn worth of contracts and representing more than 77% of total projects awarded in the country during the year. During Q1-2021 Qatargas, a subsidiary of state-owned QatarEnergy has awarded a $13bn liquefied natural gas contract to a group of French and Japanese energy companies (Chiyoda and Technip) for the first phase expansion of the North Field. On the other hand, Qatar’s total projects awards reached $272mn during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021, down from $2.8bn the comparable period of 2020, Kamco said in its latest update on the GCC projects. "Qatar is set to host the FIFA World Cup during the summer of 2022. Qatar’s government has stated that the country expects the four-week football event would add about $20bn to Qatar’s economy," the report said. "Combined with the easing of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and the normalisation of ties with the Gulf sister countries, Qatar is expected to record solid economic growth," it said. Reflecting higher oil prices and a renewed confidence that the Covid-19 recovery would likely continue unabated, the GCC projects market reached heights that were last seen in 2019. The GCC yearly projects market awards passed the $100bn mark after witnessing a late surge in project awards during Q4-2021 primarily from Saudi Arabia. Total value of GCC contracts awarded in 2021 increased by 50.8% year-on-year to $103.2bn, underscoring the region’s economic recovery is going well from the pandemic disruption. The recovery was led by the quick and well-co-ordinated strategic response of the GCC countries which curbed the regions initial virus spread and later allowed quick access of vaccines. Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar represented 88.7% of the GCC contract awards in 2021 witnessing a 6.3% rise from 2020. Saudi Arabia, the GCC’s largest projects market, recorded the biggest y-o-y increase in value of contracts awarded that reached $42.4bn in 2021 compared to $22.2bn in 2020. Comparatively, the UAE recorded a 13.7% rise in y-o-y projects awarded in 2021 which reached $24.1bn. The value of contracts awarded by Bahrain during 2021 rose 49.3% to $2.6bn compared to $1.8bn during 2020.    

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Thursday witnessed violent gyrations in the first half as it fell more than eight points but overall it settled above 12,800 levels. The foreign institutions’ substantially increased net buying notwithstanding, the 20-stock Qatar Index was down 0.06% to 12,808.93 points, recovering from an intraday low of 12,794 points. The Gulf institutions were seen increasingly into net buying in the market, whose year-to-date gains were at 10.18%. The domestic institutions’ net selling weakened considerably in the bourse, whose capitalisation saw more than QR1bn or 0.14% decrease to QR731.16bn, mainly on the back of small cap segments. Local retail investors were increasingly into net selling in the market, where the consumer goods and industrials sectors together accounted for more than 66% of the trading volume. The Arab retail investors turned bearish in the bourse, which saw a total of 524,854 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR4.71mn changed hands across 56 deals. The foreign individuals were also seen net profit takers in the market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Total trade turnover shrank amidst higher volumes in the bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index was down 0.06% to 25,356.04 points and the All Share Index by 0.23% to 4,014.43 points, while the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) rose 0.13% to 2,837.12 points. The real estate sector index lost 0.76%, banks and financial services (0.38%), transport (0.29%), insurance (0.24%) and industrials (0.08%); while telecom gained 0.96% and consumer goods and services 0.33%. Major losers in the main market included Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Doha Bank, Commercial Bank, Milaha, Mannai Corporation, Qatar National Cement and Qamco. In the venture market, Mekdam Holding saw its shares depreciate in value. Nevertheless, more than 53% of the traded constituents in the main market extended gains and included Qatar Oman Investment, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Salam International Investment, Investment Holding Group, Al Meera, Alijarah Holding, Inma Holding, Ooredoo and Nakilat. In the juniour bourse, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares gain. Qatari individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR180.93mn compared with net buyers of QR17.42mn on February 9. The Arab individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR6.65mn against net buyers of QR5.73mn the previous day. The foreign individuals turned net profit takers to the tune of QR2.11mn compared with net buyers of QR8.31mn on Wednesday. The Gulf individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR0.33mn against net buyers of QR2.43mn on February 9. However, the foreign funds’ net buying expanded substantially to QR177.38mn compared to QR23.59mn the previous day. The Gulf institutions’ net buying strengthened markedly to QR20.57mn against QR11.1mn against on Wednesday. The Arab institutions’ net buying rose marginally to QR0.44mn compared to QR0.28mn on February 9. The domestic funds’ net profit booking weakened significantly to QR8.36mn against QR68.86mn the previous day. Total trade volume in the main market rose 12% to 304.67mn shares, while value eased 16% to QR904.12mn and transactions by 9% to 18,089. The telecom sector’s volume more than doubled to 10.34mn equities and value almost tripled to QR50.51mn on a 61% increase in deals to 1,582. The consumer goods and services sector’s trade volume more than doubled to 129.75mn stocks, value soared 71% to QR150.99mn and transactions by 21% to 2,352. The transport sector saw a 37% surge in trade volume to 11.22mn shares, 56% in value to QR65.52mn and 37% in deals to 1,726. The banks and financial services sector’s trade volume shot up 19% to 54.62mn equities and value by 8% to QR301.34mn; whereas transactions were down 17% to 6,096. However, the industrials sector’s trade volume plummeted 39% to 72.58mn stocks, value by 53% to QR287.97mn and deals by 29% to 4,935. There was a 16% plunge in the real estate sector’s trade volume to 22.77mn shares and 7% in value to QR15.64mn but on 13% growth in transactions to 1,052. The insurance sector’s trade volume tanked 15% to 3.38mn equities, while value was up 13% to QR15.64mn despite 19% lower deals at 346. In the venture market, volumes contracted 24.49% to 0.74mn stocks, value by 22.69% to QR6.44mn and transactions by 36.53% to 205.    

Strong demand for the industrials equities on Wednesday lifted the Qatar Stock Exchange substantially by more than 144 points and placed the key index above 12,800 levels. Local retail investors were seen bullish as the 20-stock Qatar Index shot up 1.14% to 12,817.25 points, recovering from an intraday low of 12,731.22 points. The foreign individuals also turned net buyers in the market, whose year-to-date gains were at 10.25%. The Arab individuals were increasingly net buyers on the bourse, whose capitalisation saw more than QR6bn or 0.83% increase to QR732.22bn, mainly on the back of large cap segments. The Arab institutions were seen net buyers in the market, where the industrials sector alone accounted for about 44% of the trading volume. The Gulf retail investors were also net buyers in the bourse, which saw a total of 119,378 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR868,730 changed hands across 25 deals. However, domestic funds were increasingly into net selling in the market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Total trade turnover and volumes were on the increase in the bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index gained 1.14% to 25,372.52 points, the All Share Index by 0.67% to 4,023.58 points and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 1.14% to 2,833.57 points. The industrials sector index soared 4.68%; while transport declined 2.22%, consumer goods and services (0.4%), banks and financial services (0.36%), telecom (0.22%), real estate (0.13%) and insurance (0.12%). Major gainers in the main market included Industries Qatar, Qamco, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Inma Holding, Salam International Investment, Dlala, Doha Insurance and Gulf Warehousing. Nevertheless, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Mannai Corporation, Nakilat, Qatar National Cement, Al Khaleej Takaful, QNB, Doha Bank, Widam Food, Baladna, Qatar Electricity and Water, Ezdan and Milaha were among the losers in the main market. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mekdam Holding saw their shares depreciate in value. Qatari individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR17.42mn compared with net sellers of QR95.47mn on February 7. Foreign individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR8.31mn against net sellers of QR13.42mn last Thursday. The Arab individuals’ net buying grew noticeably to QR5.73mn compared to QR1.85mn the previous trading day. The Gulf individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR2.43mn against net profit takers of QR0.25mn on February 7. The Arab institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR0.28mn compared with no major net exposure last Thursday. However, the domestic institutions’ net selling rose significantly to QR68.86mn against QR10.28mn the previous trading day. The foreign funds’ net buying weakened drastically to QR23.59mn compared to QR103.19mn on February 7. The Gulf institutions’ net buying eased markedly to QR11.1mn against QR14.37mn last Thursday. Total trade volume in the main market rose 66% to 272.05mn shares, value by 73% to QR1.08bn and transactions by 62% to 19,874. The real estate sector’s trade volume more than doubled to 26.98mn equities and value almost doubled to QR34.72mn on a 59% growth in deals to 929. The industrials sector’s trade volume more than doubled to 119.63mn stocks and value also more than doubled to QR607.54mn and transactions almost doubled to 6,985. The consumer goods and services sector reported a 73% surge in trade volume to 63.18mn shares, 19% in value to QR87.59mn and 30% in deals to 1,943. The banks and financial services sector’s trade volume soared 27% to 45.78mn equities, value by 36% to QR277.87mn and transactions by 84% to 7,351. There was a 2% jump in the telecom sector’s volume to 4.34mn stocks but on 28% shrinkage in value to QR17.78mn despite 26% higher deals at 984. However, the insurance sector’s trade volume plummeted 39% to 3.97mn shares, value by 39% to QR13.78mn and transactions by 19% to 425. The transport sector saw a 6% contraction in trade volume to 8.18mn equities but on 5% jump in value to QR41.88mn amidst 6% lower deals at 1,257. In the venture market, volumes were down 9.26% to 0.98mn stocks, value by 14.04% to QR8.33mn and transactions by 23.46% to 323.

The banks’ brokerage subsidiaries by and large saw their share in the overall trade turnover expand considerably in the Qatar Stock Exchange in January, according to the bourse’s data. The Group Securities and QNB Financial Services together accounted for 67.13% of the share trade turnover of the brokerages in January 2022 compared to 66.26% in the previous-year period. The Group Securities’ share stood at 39.16% in January this year compared to 41.91% the previous-year period. Its trading turnover rose 13.83% year-on-year to QR9.3bn. The transactions and volumes through it however declined 1.57% and 13.28% to 2.03mn equities and 4.18mn at the end of January 31. The QNB subsidiary QNBFS' trade turnover amounted to QR6.64bn, which constituted 27.97% of the total traded value in January against 24.35% a year-ago period. Turnover expanded 31.23% year-on-year as volumes rose 0.93% to 1.08mn stocks and transactions through it shot up 75.12% to 1.67mn in the review period. CBQIS, the stock broking arm of Commercial Bank, accounted for 12.38% of trade turnover in January 2022. The brokerage house's trade turnover saw a stupendous 80.37% yearly jump to QR2.94bn as volumes zoomed 76.19% to 0.74mn equities and deals by 50.41% to 55,196 in January 2022. CBQIS last year launched its margin trading product, becoming the first bank brokerage subsidiary in Qatar to launch such a product. The Qatar Financial Market Authority had approved the Group Securities and CBQIS as liquidity providers, while saying other licences were in the pipeline. In May 2013, the financial market regulator had approved the liquidity provision scheme that can be carried out by the financial services firms. Qatar Securities accounted for 9.28% of trade turnover in January 2022 compared to 10.83% the previous year period. The broker’s trading turnover nevertheless fell 2.22% year-on-year to QR2.2bn as volumes through it plummeted 40% to 0.36mn shares despite 10.66% higher transactions at 34,351 at the end of January 2022. Dlala Brokerage, a stock broking business arm of Dlala Holding, accounted for 4.66% of trade turnover (QR1.11bn), which plummeted 31.91% year-on-year in January 2022. The brokerage’s share was 7.82% in the previous-year period. The deals through it shrank 3.32% on a yearly basis to 20,078 and volumes by 53.73% to 0.31mn stocks as on January 31, 2022. Wasata Financial Securities' share was 5.48% of trading turnover this January compared to 2.65% in the comparable period of 2021. Its trade turnover more than doubled year-on-year to QR1.3bn on an 85.71% surge in volumes to 0.39mn equities and 81.51% in transactions to 17,470 at the end of January 31, 2022. Al-Ahli Brokerage, a subsidiary of Ahlibank Qatar, saw its trade turnover more than halve year-on-year to QR0.26bn, cornering a market share of 1.08% in January 2022 compared to 2.52% a year-ago period. The volumes handled by the banking subsidiary also halved to 0.06mn equities and deals through it shrank 44.11% to 4,521 during the review period.    

The Qatar Stock Exchange Monday witnessed violent gyrations for most part of the trading session; but overall it closed marginally lower despite gains in the industrials and telecom counters. Notwithstanding the increased net buying interests of foreign institutions, the 20-stock Qatar Index settled five points or 0.04% lower to 12,672.95 points, recovering from an intraday low of 12,657 points. The Gulf institutions were also seen increasingly into net buying in the market, whose year-to-date gains were at 9.01%. More than 51% of the traded constituents were in the red in the bourse, whose capitalisation saw more than QR14mn or 0.02% decrease to QR726.17bn, mainly on the back of microcap segments. The local retail investors’ net profit booking pressure increased substantially in the market, where the industrials, consumer goods and banking sectors together accounted for about 81% of the trading volume. The domestic institutions were also increasingly net sellers in the bourse, which saw a total of 257,786 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR958,810 changed hands across 51 deals. The foreign individuals were increasingly into net profit booking in the market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Total trade turnover and volumes were on the increase in the bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index was down 0.04% to 25,086.88 points and All Share Index by 0.03% to 3,999.96 points, while Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) was up 0.03% to 2,801.76 points. The transport sector index shrank 0.85%, insurance (0.49%), real estate (0.3%), consumer goods and services (0.06%) and banks and financial services (0.01%); while telecom gained 0.32% and industrials 0.21%. Major shakers in the main market included Mannai Corporation, Qatar Investors Group, QLM, Nakilat, Qamco, Commercial Bank, Dlala, Qatari German Medical Devices, Aamal Company and Gulf Warehousing. Nevertheless, Inma Holding, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Al Khaleej Takaful, Qatar Oman Investment, Salam International Investment, Qatar First Bank, Qatar Electricity and Water and Ooredoo were among the gainers in the main market. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mekdam Holding saw their shares appreciate in value. Qatari individuals’ net selling increased substantially to QR95.47mn compared to QR24.25mn on February 6. The foreign individuals’ net selling grew markedly to QR13.42mn against QR8.1mn on Sunday. The domestic institutions’ net selling rose perceptibly to QR10.28mn compared to QR7mn the previous day. However, the foreign funds’ net buying strengthened drastically to QR103.19mn against QR31.82mn on February 6. The Gulf funds’ net buying grew noticeably to QR14.37mn compared to QR9.43mn on Sunday. The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.85mn against net sellers of QR1.76mn the previous day. The Gulf individuals’ net profit booking eased marginally to QR0.25mn compared to QR0.34mn on February 6. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers of QR0.2mn the previous day. Total trade volume in the main market rose 1% to 163.41mn shares, value by 29% to QR626.03mn and transactions by 31% to 12,245. The transport sector’s trade volume soared 47% to 8.7mn equities and value by 37% to QR39.7mn on almost tripled deals to 1,344. The banks and financial services sector saw 23% surge in trade volume to 35.95mn stocks, 80% in value to QR204.31mn and 45% in transactions to 4,002. The consumer goods and services sector’s trade volume shot up 22% to 36.6mn shares, while value declined 9% to QR73.76mn despite 6% higher deals at 1,499. However, there was 23% plunge in the telecom sector’s volume to 4.24mn equities but on 36% expansion in value to QR24.76mn and 12% in transactions to 784. The industrials sector’s trade volume plummeted 16% to 59.49mn stocks; whereas value gained 17% to QR242.67mn and deals by 12% to 3,507. The market witnessed 14% contraction in the real estate sector’s trade volume to 11.97mn shares and 7% in value to QR18.16mn but on 11% growth in transactions to 583. The insurance sector’s trade volume was down less than 1% to 6.46mn equities; while value increased 37% to QR18.16n and deals by 57% to 526. In the venture market, volumes more than doubled to 1.08mn stocks and value also more than doubled to QR9.69mn on 70.16% gains in transactions to 422.