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The Qatar Stock Exchange Wednesday gained more than 74 points on the back of strong buying interests, especially in the transport, industrials, insurance and real estate sectors..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[73993]**The Arab individual investors were seen net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.74% to 10,140.67 points.The Gulf institutions’ substantially weakened net selling had its great influence in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 5.06%.As much as 74% of the traded constituents extended gains in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR3.96bn or 0.67% to QR597.64bn with small and midcap segments gaining the most.The domestic institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which had touched an intraday high of 10,175 points.The local retail investors turned net sellers in the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.07mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.37mn changed hands across 19 deals.The foreign institutions were net profit takers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index rose 0.74%, All Share Index by 0.72% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.62% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the rise.The transport sector index shot up 2.43%, industrials (1.98%), insurance (1.5%), realty (1.43%) and banks and financial services (0.15%); while telecom declined 1.35% and consumer goods and services 0.35%.Major movers in the main market included Qatar Oman Investment, Dlala, Al Khaleej Takaful, Inma Holding, Lesha Bank, Qatari German Medical Devices, Meeza, Mannai Corporation, Industries Qatar, Gulf International Services, Qatar National Cement, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Barwa and Nakilat. In the venture market, Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Ooredoo, Dukhan Bank, Qatar Electricity and Water, Woqod and Masraf Al Rayan were among the shakers in the main bourse.The Arab retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR9.59mn compared with net sellers of QR0.11mn on September 5.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking decreased significantly to QR4.54mn against QR47.3mn the previous day.However, the local individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR11.79mn compared with net buyers of QR26.49mn on Tuesday.The foreign institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR2.01mn against net buyers of QR3.73mn on September 5.The foreign individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR0.59mn compared with net buyers of QR1.6mn the previous day.The Gulf retail investors turned net profit takers to the tune of QR0.13mn against net buyers of QR2.61mn on Tuesday.The domestic institutions’ net buying weakened noticeably to QR9.47mn compared to QR12.98mn on September 5.The Arab institutions continued to have no major net exposure for the sixth consecutive session.Trade volumes in the main market rose 9% to 255.8mn shares, value by 15% to QR604.67mn and deals by 30% to 24,613.The venture market saw a 37% plunge in trade volumes to 0.59mn equities, 36% in value to QR1.27mn and 29% in transactions to 122.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Tuesday lost 65 points and its key index fell below 10,100 levels, reflecting the concerns in the global market over weak services sector in China and .text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px; }@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;} } **media[73576]** lower oil prices. The transport, insurance, banking and real estate sectors witnessed higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.64% to 10,066.31 points. The Gulf institutions were seen increasingly into net profit booking in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened further to 5.76%. As much as 80% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR4.51bn or 0.75% to QR593.68bn with midcap segments losing the most. The foreign institutions’ weakened net buying had its influence in the main market, which had touched an intraday low of 10,116 points. However, the local retail investors were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.02mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.16mn changed hands across 13 deals. The domestic institutions were also increasingly bullish in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index shed 0.64%, All Share Index by 0.81% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.41% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the rise. The transport sector index tanked 2.02%, insurance (1.99%), banks and financial services (1.16%), realty (1.08%), consumer goods and services (0.35%) and telecom (0.1%); while industrials gained 0.32%. Major shakers in the main market included Doha Bank, Qatar Insurance, Nakilat, Meeza, Qatar Oman Investment, Masraf Al Rayan, QNB, Dlala, Qatari German Medical Devices, Baladna, Estithmar Holding, Ezdan, Barwa and Gulf Warehousing. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares depreciate in value. Nevertheless, Salam International Investment, Al Khaleej Takaful, Dukhan Bank, Qatar Electricity and Water, and Industries Qatar were among the gainers in the main bourse. The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking increased significantly to QR47.3mn compared to QR25.96mn on September 4. The foreign institutions’ net buying declined perceptibly to QR3.73mn against QR6.27mn the previous day. However, the local individuals’ net buying grew noticeably to QR26.49mn compared to QR25.5mn on Monday. The domestic institutions’ net buying strengthened substantially to QR12.98mn against QR4.28mn on September 4. The Gulf retail investors’ net buying expanded markedly to QR2.61mn compared to QR1.41mn the previous day. The foreign individual investors’ net buying increased notably to QR1.6mn against QR0.76mn on Monday. The Arab retail investors’ net profit booking shrank considerably to QR0.11mn compared to QR10.25mn on September 4. The Arab institutions continued to have no major net exposure for the fifth consecutive session. Trade volumes in the main market zoomed 60% to 234.75mn shares, value by 20% to QR528.04mn and deals by 2% to 18,910. The venture market saw a 64% plunge in trade volumes to 0.94mn equities, 64% in value to QR1.97mn and 65% in transactions to 172.

Doha's non-energy private sector saw strong expansion in August on notable boost to new orders in the manufacturing and financial services, according to the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).The latest expansion rate was the third strongest so far in this year, according to the QFC's latest purchasing managers’ index (PMI) survey, with the 12-month outlook for the non-energy private sector remaining “optimistic”.The PMI posted 53.9 in August, little-changed from 54 in July, indicating another strong improvement in business conditions. The latest figure remained above the average for the first half of 2023 (52.5) and the long-run trend since 2017 (52.3).The headline QFC PMI is a composite single-figure indicator of non-energy private sector performance. It is derived from indicators for new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times and stocks of purchases.The PMI indices are compiled from survey responses from a panel of around 450 private sector companies. It covers the manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail, and services sectors, reflecting the structure of the non-energy economy according to official national accounts data."The PMI for Qatar has held steady over the past six months at a level consistent with solid economic growth...Activity, new business, employment and purchasing all rose further in August, while the level of outstanding work continued to fall as capacity expanded," said QFC Authority chief executive officer Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida.New business increased strongly in August, the survey said, adding the rate of expansion eased further from May’s recent peak but remained well above the long-run survey average. There was a notable boost to new orders at manufacturing and financial services businesses during the month.Total business activity among Qatar's non-energy private sector firms rose further in August. Output has risen every month for more than three years, except for a brief correction in January following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.About the 12-month optimistic outlook for the non-energy private sector, QFC said positive expectations were broad-based by sector with manufacturers being the most optimistic, followed by wholesalers and retailers.Non-oil private sector employment expanded for the sixth month running in August, the second-longest sequence of continuous job creation in the survey history. Recruitment was again notably strong at service providers.Purchases also rose for the sixth consecutive month in August. Despite higher demand for inputs, supply chains continued to improve as average lead times fell for the sixteenth successive month, a series-record sequence.The survey said the input inventories rose only slightly again, suggesting companies continued to manage stock levels efficiently.Demand for Qatari financial services accelerated in August, with new business volumes at financial services providers increasing at the fastest pace since August 2022.Total financial services activity increased at a marked rate in line with the six-and-a-half-year series average, and the 12-month outlook remained positive."Financial services continued to outperform the wider economy with new business increasing at the fastest pace in the year. This prompted the sharpest rise in hiring by financial services firms since October 2021," al-Jaida said.

Qatar saw a robust double-digit year-on-year growth in sales of new private vehicles this July, even as the automobile sector on the whole was on a reverse gear, according figures published by the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).The registration of new private vehicles stood at 4,283, which surged 15% on an annualised basis but fell 4.1% month-on-month in June 2023. Such vehicles constituted 75.71% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.The country saw a total of 5,657 new vehicles registered in July 2023, declining 2.9% and 14.2% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in the review period.The registration of new private transport vehicles stood at 958; which declined 28.4% and 16% on a yearly and monthly basis respectively in July 2023. Such vehicles constituted 16.93% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new private motorcycles stood at 205 units, which plummeted 64.7% and 6% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in July 2023. These constituted 3.62% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new heavy equipment stood at 156, which constituted 2.76% of the total in June 2023. Their registrations had seen a 4.7% and 32.2% expansion on an annualised and monthly basis respectively in the review period.As many as 40 trailers were registered in July 2023, which soared 73.9% and 37.9% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. They constituted 0.71% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The new registration of other non-specified vehicles stood at 15 units, which soared 50% on a yearly basis but decreased 97.6% month-on-month this July. They constituted 0.27% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.The renewal of registration was reported in 65,164 units, which saw 17.1% growth year-on-year but shrank 3.1% on a monthly basis in July 2023. It constituted 57.86% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The transfer of ownership was reported in 30,130 vehicles in July 2023, which grew 15.8% on an annualised basis but fell 9.1% month-on-month. It constituted 26.75% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The modified vehicles’ registration stood at 3,868; which declined 35.8% and 12.3% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in July 2023. They constituted 3.43% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of lost/damaged vehicles stood at 3,308 units, which tanked 55% and 5.3% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in July 2023. They constituted 2.94% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The number of cancelled vehicles was 2,030; surging 39% and 43.1% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in July 2023. They constituted 1.8% of the clearing of vehicle-related process in the review period.The number of vehicles meant for exports stood at 1,912 units, which shot up 44.3% on annualised basis but was down 7.9% on monthly basis in July 2023. It constituted 1.7% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.The re-registration of vehicles stood at 87, which expanded 42.6% year-on-year but declined 14.7% month-on-month in July 2023. They constituted 0.08% of the clearing of vehicle-related process in the review period.The clearing of vehicle-related processes stood at 112,633 units, which was up 8.4% on a yearly basis but shrank 4.9% month-on-month in the review period.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Monday declined about 55 points on the back of selling pressure, especially in the banks, real estate, insurance, telecom and consumer goods.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[73185]**sectors.The Gulf institutions were seen increasingly into net profit booking as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.54% to 10,131.32 points with investors awaiting the future course of action by the US Federal Reserve on interest rates.The Arab retail investors were seen bearish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened further to 5.15%.More than 79% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR3.34bn or 0.56% to QR598.19bn with mid and small cap segments taking the toll most.The domestic institutions’ weakened net buying had its influence in the main market, which however recovered from an intraday low of 10,074 points.The foreign retail investors’ lower net buying also had its say in the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.31mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR1.23mn changed hands across 64 deals.However, the local individuals turned bullish in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index shed 0.545%, All Share Index by 0.62% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.5% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover grew amidst lower volumes.The banks and financial services sector index tanked 1.15%, realty (0.95%), insurance (0.65%), telecom (0.64%), consumer goods and services (0.59%) and transport (0.18%); while industrials gained 0.52%.Major shakers in the main market included Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Baladna, Qatar Oman Investment, Alijarah Holding, Doha Insurance, QNB, Qatar Islamic Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, Meeza, Barwa and Ezdan.Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Industries Qatar, Estithmar Holding, Al Meera and Gulf Warehousing were among the gainers in the main bourse. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares appreciate in value.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking increased significantly to QR25.96mn compared to QR10.26mn on September 3.The Arab retail investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR10.25mn against net buyers of QR4.38mn the previous day.The domestic institutions’ net buying decreased substantially to QR4.28mn compared to QR33.47mn on Sunday.The foreign individual investors’ net buying shrank noticeably to QR0.76mn against QR3.47mn on September 3.However, the local individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR25.5mn compared with net sellers of QR9.72mn the previous day.The foreign institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR6.27mn against net profit takers of QR21.7mn on Sunday.The Gulf retail investors’ net buying strengthened perceptibly to QR1.41mn compared to QR0.38mn on September 3.The Arab institutions continued to have no major net exposure for the fourth consecutive session.Trade volumes in the main market plunged 13% to 146.53mn shares, whereas value was up 5% to QR439.08mn and deals by 28% to 18,582.The venture market saw more than quadrupled trade volumes to 2.58mn equities and value grew more than five-fold to QR5.51mn on more than quadrupled transactions to 490.

Standard hotel apartments in Qatar witnessed improved rooms' yield on an annualised basis amid an otherwise declining trend in the overall hospitality industry in July, although visitors into the country were on the rise on both yearly and monthly basis, according to the official estimates.The occupancy was seen increasing in the case of standard and deluxe hotel apartments as well as two-and-one star hotels; while it fell in the five, four and three-star hotels, according to figures released by the Planning and Statistics Authority.The standard hotel apartments registered a 5.88% year-on-year increase in average revenue available per room to QR162 this July with occupancy jumping 1% to 77% and the average room rate by 4.98% to QR211 in the review period.However, Qatar's overall hospitality sector saw a 16.67 year-on-year plunge in average revenue per available room to QR205 in July as the average room rate declined 17.92% to QR394 despite a 1% increase in occupancy to 52% in the review period.The lower rooms’ yield comes amidst a 91.4% and 2.1% year-on-year and month-on-month increase in visitor arrivals to 287,963.Visitor arrivals from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) were 134,894 or 47% of the total, followed by other Asia (including Oceania) 64,302 (22%), Europe 42,319 (15%), other Arab countries 20,057 (7%), Americas 19,383 (7%), and other African countries 7,008 (2%) in the review period.On an annualised basis, visitor arrivals from other African countries zoomed 294.8%, followed by other Arab countries by 186.8%, other Asia (including Oceania) by 181.5%, Europe by 159.8%, Americas by 122.2% and the GCC by 43.8% in July 2023.On a month-on-month basis, visitor arrivals from the other African countries grew 24.2%, Europe by 19.5%, the GCC by 13.7% and Americas by 7.5%; while those from other Arab countries and other Asia (including Oceania) declined by 23.6% and 17.6% respectively in the review period.In the case of five-star hotels, the average revenue per available room decreased 18.04% to QR268 in July 2023 as the average room rate fell 11.25% to QR584 and the occupancy by 4% to 46%.The average revenue per available room in the four-star hotels tanked 13.95% on a yearly basis to QR111 in July 2023 although the occupancy was flat at 50% but the average room rate dipped by 14.94% to QR222.The three-star hotels saw a 23.23% year-on-year contraction in average revenue per available room to QR119 as the average room rate shrank 15.23% to QR167 and the occupancy by 8% to 71% in the review period.The two-star and one-star hotels' average revenue per available room shrank 16.23% year-on-year to QR129 this July despite a 1% gain in the occupancy to 90%, even as the average room rate fell by 17.34% to QR143 at the end of July this year.In the case of deluxe hotel apartments, the room yield was unchanged year-on-year at QR185 in July 2023 even though the average room rate plunged 17.47% to QR326 despite a 10% higher occupancy at 57%.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Sunday opened the week on almost a flat note despite buying interests in the real estate, telecom, consumer goods and industrials counters. .text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px; }@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;} } **media[72878]** The Gulf institutions were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index settled mere 0.09% lower at 10,185.99 points. The local retail investors were also seen bearish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 4.64%. About 45% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation was down QR0.59bn or 0.1% to QR601.53bn with microcap cap segments taking the toll most. The Arab individuals’ weakened buying had its influence in the main market, which however touched an intraday high of 10,299 points. The foreign retail investors’ lower net buying also had its say in the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.04mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.33mn changed hands across 29 deals. The Gulf individuals remained bullish but with lesser vigour in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Islamic index was seen gaining vis-à-vis declines in the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index was down 0.09% and All Share Index by 0.11%, while Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) rose 0.14% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline. The banks and financial services sector index shrank 0.36%, transport (0.14%) and insurance (0.09%); whereas realty gained 0.56%, telecom (0.42%), consumer goods and services (0.23%) and industrials (0.12%). Major shakers in the main market included Meeza, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Qatari German Medical Devices, Estithmar Holding, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Doha Bank, Commercial Bank, Salam International Investment, QLM and Mazaya Qatar. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares depreciate in value. Nevertheless, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Al Khaleej Takaful, Qatar National Cement, Zad Holding and Industries Qatar were among the gainers in the main bourse. The Gulf institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR10.26mn against net buyers of QR15.69mn on August 31. The local retail individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR9.72mn compared with net buyers of QR64.69mn last Thursday. The domestic institutions’ net buying decreased substantially to QR33.47mn against QR79.05mn the previous trading day. The Arab retail investors’ net buying weakened significantly to QR4.38mn compared to QR19.08mn on August 31. The foreign individual investors’ net buying shrank noticeably to QR3.47mn against QR8.72mn last Thursday. The Gulf retail investors’ net buying declined perceptibly to QR0.38mn compared to QR1.78mn the previous trading day. However, the foreign institutions’ net profit booking tanked drastically to QR21.7mn against QR189.01mn on August 31. The Arab institutions continued to have no major net exposure for the third straight session. Trade volumes in the main market plunged 42% to 168mn shares, value by 60% to QR416.88mn and deals by 35% to 14,553. The venture market saw almost quadrupled trade volumes to 0.64mn equities and value more than tripled to QR1.1mn on more than tripled transactions to 119.

A strong double-digit growth in hospitality, transport and manufacturing sectors led Qatar's real (inflation-adjusted) economy to grow by a robust 2.7% year-on-year in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, according to official estimates.However, the real economy was seen shrinking 3.9% quarter-on-quarter during the review period as the last quarter of 2022 had witnessed FIFA World Cup, whose force multiplier on the local economy was substantial.The mining and quarrying sector, under which hydrocarbons fall, grew 4.1% year-on-year and the non-mining and quarrying sector by 1.9% to place the overall real GDP (gross domestic product) at QR170.1bn. The agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors soared 6.1% on an annualised basis in Q1-2023.On a quarterly basis, the country’s real GDP (at constant prices) during Q1-2023 was dragged mainly by 6.3% contraction in the non-mining and quarrying sector; even as mining and quarrying sector was up by a marginal 0.3%.Within non-hydrocarbons, the accommodation and food service segment is estimated to have expanded 17.3% year-on-year in Q1-2023, followed by transport and storage by 16.8%, manufacturing by 10.8%, wholesale and retail trade by 9.1%, real estate by 6.1%, finance and insurance by 2.3%, and utilities by 0.7%.However, the construction sector witnessed 12.5% shrinkage and information and communication by 7.9% in the review period.On a quarterly basis, the information and communication sector plummeted 20.6%, finance and insurance (19.5%), wholesale and retail trade (16.1%), utilities (9.1%), realty (7.3%) and manufacturing (3.7%) in Q1-2023.Nevertheless, the transport and storage sector registered a 7.2% expansion and construction by 1.5% in the review period.On a nominal basis (at current prices), Qatar's GDP is estimated to have grown 1% year-on-year but tanked 8.7% quarter-on-quarter at the end of Q1-2023.The non-mining and quarrying sector's 5% surge rather masked the 4.5% decline in the mining and quarrying sector that the overall nominal GDP growth remained in the positive track on an annualised basis in Q1-2023.On a quarterly basis, both mining and non-mining sectors witnessed 11.9% and 6.3% contraction, thus leading to an overall decline in the nominal economy in Q1-2023.Within non-hydrocarbons (in nominal terms), there was a 28.7% year-on-year surge in finance and insurance, 24.3% in real estate, 11.6% in transport and storage, 6.8% in accommodation and food service, 3.8% in utilities, 2.7% in information and communication, 2.6% in manufacturing and 2% in wholesale and retail trade in Q1-2023. However, there was an 8.2% contraction in the construction sector in the review period.On a quarterly basis in nominal terms, the accommodation and food services segment saw a hefty 46.8% plunge, wholesale and retail trade (21.9%), information and communication (9.6%), manufacturing (5.2%), construction (4.9%), utilities (2.9%), realty (2.1%) and finance and insurance (0.9%) in the review period. However, the utilities segment saw a 2.3% jump in nominal terms on a quarterly basis in Q1-2023.The import duties, on real terms, are estimated to have risen 2.8% and 1.4% year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter respectively at the end of Q1-2023. On nominal terms, they however reported a 3.9% and 5.7% contraction respectively in the review period.

Global sentiments over the US economic data and the expectations on the future Fed rate path had their overarching effects on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), which closed this.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[72163]**week 170 points lower.The foreign institutions were seen increasingly net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index plummeted 1.64% this week which saw Qatar’s budget generate a QR10bn surplus in the second quarter of 2023 as oil price averaged $77.7 per barrel against the conservative budget assumption of $65.An across the board selling – particularly in the real estate, banking and telecom counters – was visible in the main market this week which saw Qatar's total public spending during the second quarter amount to about QR58.4bn.The Gulf retail investors were seen net profit takers in the main bourse this week which saw the London Stock Exchange group entity FTSE Russell upgrade Ooredoo to large cap from midcap segment.The Arab institutions were bearish, albeit at lower levels, in the main market this week which saw Qatar report trade surplus of QR19.65bn in July 2023.About 71% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse this week which saw the Ministry of Commerce and Industry asked auditors of QSE-listed companies to comply with the Qatar Financial Market Authority’s provision regarding capping the board remuneration.The Gulf institutions’ weakened net buying had its influence in the main market this week which saw Estithmar Holding undertake groundbreaking ceremony for its first Iraqi project Rixos Baghdad.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the main index this week which saw Estithmar Holding subsidiary Elegancia Facilities Management establish a new company in Jordan.However, the local retail investors were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse this week which saw a total of 0.66mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR1.5mn trade across 118 deals.The domestic institutions were also increasingly bullish in the main market this week which saw as many as 0.03mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.3mn change hands across 20 transactions.Market capitalisation eroded QR10.19bn or 1.66% to QR602.12bn on the back of large and midcap segments this week which saw the banks and industrials sectors together constitute about 60% of the total trade volume in the main market.The Total Return Index shed 1.64%, the All Share Index by 1.73% and the All Islamic Index by 1.54% this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The real estate sector index tanked 2.26%, banks and financial services (2.21%), telecom (1.98%), transport (1.36%), insurance (1.22%), industrials (1.09%) and consumer goods and services (0.57%) this week which saw no trading of treasury bills.Major losers in the main bourse included Qatar National Cement, Qatar Oman Investment, Lesha Bank, Baladna, United Development Company, Commercial Bank, QNB, Dlala, Mekdam Holding, Industries Qatar, Ooredoo and Milaha. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their equities depreciate in value this week which saw Qatar’s real economic growth (year-n-year) at 2.7% during the first quarter of 2023.Nevertheless, Gulf International Services, Meeza, Qamco, Estithmar Holding, Qatari Investors Group, Qatari German Medical Devices and Salam International Investment were among the gainers in the main bourse this week.The foreign funds’ net selling increased substantially to QR310.59mn compared to QR36.15mn the week ended August 24.The Gulf individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR1.44mn against net buyers of QR0.07mn the previous week.The Arab funds turned net profit takers to the extent of QR0.02mn compared with net buyers of QR0.08mn a week ago.The Gulf institutions’ net buying declined noticeably to QR33.67mn against QR47.62mn the week ended August 24.However, the local individuals were net buyers to the tune of QR133.87mn compared with net sellers of QR73.04mn the previous week.The domestic institutions’ net buying strengthened markedly to QR81.33mn against QR63.5mn a week ago.The Arab retail investors’ net buying expanded drastically to QR44.35mn compared to QR2.38mn the week ended August 24.The foreign individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR18.82mn against net profit takers of QR4.46mn the previous week.The main market witnessed a 37% jump in trade volumes to 1.05bn shares, 45% in value to QR2.84bn and 3% in deals to 88,561 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes tanked 24% to 3.89mn equities, value by 30% to QR8.51mn and transactions by 9% to 823.

Reflecting the sentiments in the global markets over the US economic data and the expectations on the future path of the Federal Reserve rates, the Qatar Stock Exchange yesterday saw its key index plunge 155 points and market capitalisation erode QR9bn.The telecom, real estate and banking counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index lost 1.5% to 10,194.74 points.The foreign institutions were increasingly into net profit booking in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened further to 4.55%.About 79% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR9.4bn or 1.54% to QR602.12bn with large and midcap cap segments losing the most.However, the domestic funds were increasingly net buyers in the main market, which had touched an intraday high of 10,426 points.The local retail investors were seen increasingly bullish in the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.02mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.18mn changed hands across 16 deals.The Arab individuals turned net buyers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index shed 1.5%, the All Share Index by 1.5% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 1.41% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The telecom sector index tanked 2.33%, realty (2.11%), banks and financial services (1.89%), industrials (1.18%), consumer goods and services (0.75%), insurance (0.52%) and transport (0.1%).Major shakers in the main market included Qatar National Cement, Ooredoo, Ezdan, Qatar Islamic Bank, Lesha Bank, Commercial Bank, Dlala, Qatari Investors Group, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, QLM, United Development Company, Barwa, Mazaya Qatar and Gulf Warehousing. In the venture market, Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Doha Insurance, Aamal Company, Vodafone Qatar, Zad Holding and Doha Bank were among the gainers in the main market.The foreign institutions’ net selling increased drastically to QR189.01mn compared to QR64.18mn on August 30.However, the domestic funds’ net buying strengthened substantially to QR79.05mn against QR25.74mn the previous day.The local retail individuals’ net buying expanded significantly to QR64.69mn compared to QR23.19mn on Wednesday.The Arab retail investors were net buyers to the tune of QR19.08mn against net sellers of QR1.18mn on August 30.The Gulf institutions’ net buying shot up perceptibly to QR15.69mn compared to QR14.5mn the previous day.The foreign individual investors’ net buying zoomed considerably to QR8.72mn against QR1.38mn on Wednesday.The Gulf retail investors’ net buying grew noticeably to QR1.78mn compared to QR0.54mn on August 30.The Arab institutions continued to have no major net exposure for the second straight session.Trade volumes in the main market were up 14% to 287.19mn shares, value by 91% to QR1.04bn and deals by 15% to 22,383.The venture market saw a 73% plunge in trade volumes to 0.17mn equities, 74% in value to QR0.36mn and 75% in transactions to 36.

Qatar's producers' price index (PPI), which captures the price pressure felt by the producers of goods and services, was seen drifting southwards on both annualised and monthly basis this July, according to the official estimates.The country's PPI plummeted 33.09% year-on-year owing to a noticeable decline in the indices of hydrocarbons and certain manufactured products as chemicals, refined petroleum products and basic metals, according to figures released by the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).The PPI, which measures inflation from the perspective of costs to industry or producers of products as it measures price changes before they reach consumers, saw a 0.22% fall month-on-month in July 2023 on hydrocarbons and chemicals.The PSA had released a new PPI series in late 2015. With a base of 2013, it draws on an updated sampling frame and new weights.The previous sampling frame dates from 2006, when the Qatari economy was much smaller than today and the range of products made domestically much narrower.The lower expectations on global inflation build-up and its appurtenant reaction within the central banks expect to scale back the pace of its rate increases.The mining PPI, which carries the maximum weight of 82.46%, reported a 33.4% plunge on annualised basis in July 2023 owing to 34.44% contraction in the index of crude petroleum and natural gas and 1.54% in other mining and quarrying segments.The mining sector PPI had seen a 0.28% fall month-on-month in July 2023 as the index of crude petroleum and natural gas was seen dropping 0.28%.The manufacturing sector PPI, which has a weight of 15.85% in the basket, tanked 28% on yearly basis in July 2023 due to a 36.51% contraction in the index of chemicals and chemical products, 22.59% in refined petroleum products, 17.84% in basic metals and 0.38% in rubber and plastics products.Nevertheless, there was a 3.42% increase in the index of food products, 0.81% in beverages, and 0.06% in cement and other non-metallic mineral products in the review period.The manufacturing PPI, however, was up 0.3% on a monthly basis in July 2023 mainly on account of a 6.69% increase in the index of refined petroleum products.There was a 1.31% decrease in the index of chemicals and chemical products, 0.76% in food products, 0.54% in rubber and plastics products, 0.3% in beverages, 0.18% in basic metals and 0.17% in cement and other non-metallic mineral products in the review period.The index of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply reported 0.68% and 2.58% plunge on yearly and monthly basis respectively this July.The index of water supply soared 14.79% year-on-year but was down 0.41% month-on-month respectively in July 2023.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Wednesday lost 21 points despite buying support from local retail investors and domestic funds..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[71535]**The transport, insurance, consumer goods and banking sectors witnessed higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.2% to 10,350.12 points.The foreign institutions were seen increasingly into net profit booking in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 3.1%.About 53% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, which touched an intraday high of 10,392 points.The Arab retail investors turned bearish in the main market, whose capitalisation was down QR0.74bn or 0.12% to QR611.52bn with microcap cap segments losing the most.The foreign individuals’ weakened net buying had its marginal influence on the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.01mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.03mn changed hands across 14 deals.The Gulf institutions turned net buyers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index shed 0.2%, the All Share Index by 0.24% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.13% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover grew amidst lower volumes.The transport sector index declined 0.96%, followed by insurance (0.39%), consumer goods and services (0.38%), banks and financial services (0.22%) and industrials (0.11%); while telecom gained 0.21%. The real estate index was rather flat.Major shakers in the main market included Meeza, Qatar National Cement, Baladna, Doha Insurance, Milaha, Industries Qatar, Milaha and Gulf Warehousing.In the venture market, Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, QLM, Qamco, Gulf International Services, Ahlibank Qatar, Salam International Investment, Alijarah Holding, Mannai Corporation and Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance were among the gainers in the main market.In the junior bourse, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.The foreign institutions’ net selling increased significantly to QR64.18mn compared to QR21.53mn on August 29.The Arab retail investors were net sellers to the tune of QR1.18mn against net buyers of QR12.91mn on Tuesday.The foreign individual investors’ net buying shrank marginally to QR1.38mn compared to QR1.57mn the previous day.However, the domestic funds’ net buying strengthened substantially to QR25.74mn against QR1.1mn on August 29.The local retail individuals’ net buying expanded perceptibly to QR23.19mn compared to QR22.02mn on Tuesday.The Gulf institutions turned net buyers to the extent of QR14.5mn against net sellers of QR14.34mn the previous day.The Gulf individual investors were net buyers to the tune of QR0.54mn compared with net profit takers of QR1.71mn on August 29.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net sellers to the extent of QR0.02mn on Tuesday.Trade volumes in the main market were up 7% to 25.84mn shares, while value declined 8% to QR542.59mn and deals by 9% to 19,529.The venture market saw a 65% plunge in trade volumes to 0.64mn equities, 66% in value to QR1.4mn and 57% in transactions to 143.

A steady double-digit growth in the hydrocarbon exports helped Qatar register a robust 12.8% month-on-month increase in trade surplus to QR19.65bn in July 2023, according to the official estimates.Qatar’s exports to South Korea, China and Singapore were on the rise this July compared to those in June 2023 according to the figures released by the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).However, the foreign merchandise trade surplus reported 43.5% contraction year-on-year in the review period.About 60% of the exports went to China, South Korea, India, Japan and Singapore. In July 2023, Qatar's shipments to China amounted to QR6.02bn or 20.7% of the total exports of the country, followed by South Korea QR4.14bn (14.2%), India QR2.79bn (9.6%), Japan QR2.03bn (7%), and Singapore QR1.96bn (6.7%).On a monthly basis, Qatar's exports to South Korea zoomed 29.47%, China by 11.7% and Singapore by 1.19%; while those to Japan and India declined 17.64% and 11.98% respectively in July 2023.On a yearly basis, the country's exports to Japan plunged 60.36%, India by 50.8%, South Korea by 18.58% and Singapore by 2.78%; whereas those to China shot up 60.78% in the review period.The country's total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) were up 8.4% month-on-month to QR29.08bn. On an annualised basis, it tanked 34.4% in July 2023.The country’s exports of petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons were valued at QR16.99bn, which grew 3.5% on a monthly basis; crude at QR5.36% (12.2%), non-crude at QR2.79bn (25.3%) and other commodities at QR2.81bn (16.3%) in July 2023.On a yearly basis, the exports of petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons plunged 44.4%, other commodities by 28.8%, crude by 10.6% and crude by 5% in the review period.Petroleum gases constituted 60.77% of the exports of domestic products in July 2023 compared to 70.34% a year ago period; followed by crude 19.18% (13.81%), non-crude 9.98% (6.76%) and other commodities 10.05% (9.11%).Qatar's total imports (valued at cost insurance and freight) amounted to QR9.44bn, which showed a 0.2% increase month-on-month; even as it fell 1.6% on an annualised basis in July 2023.The country's imports from China amounted to QR1.58bn, which accounted for 16.7% of the total imports; followed by the US QR1.35bn (14.3%), Germany QR0.64bn (6.7%), Italy QR0.63bn (6.6%) and India QR0.51bn (5.4%) in the review period.On a monthly basis, Qatar's imports from Italy expanded 30.96%, Germany by 19.55% and China by 18.76%; whereas those from the US and India shrank 26.39% and 1.16% respectively in July 2023.On a yearly basis, Qatar's imports from the US was seen plummeting 15.49%, India by 13.93% and China by 5.23%; while those from Germany and Italy gained 66.06% and 11.59% respectively in the review period.In July 2023, the group of "Turbojets, Turbo propellers and Other Gas Turbines; Parts Thereof" was at the top of the imported group of commodities and valued at QR0.8bn, showing an annual expansion of 4.7%In the second place was "Motor Cars & Other Motor Vehicles for The Transport of Persons”, with QR0.29bn, which however showed a decrease 9.3% year-on-year in the review period.In third place was “Electrical Apparatus for Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts Thereof” with QR0.28bn, showing an annual decrease of 13.4%.

The Qatar Stock Exchange was back in black Tuesday with its key index gaining as much as 35 points as industrials, consumer goods, real estate ad banking counters witnessed .text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px; }@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;} } **media[71044]** higher than average demand. The Arab retail investors were seen increasingly into net buying as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.34% to 10,370.93 points. The domestic institutions were seen bullish, albeit at lower levels in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 2.9%. More than 61% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, which regained from an intraday low of 10,342 points. The foreign institutions’ weakened net selling had its influence in the main market, whose capitalisation added QR2.29bn or 0.38% to QR612.26bn with small cap segments gaining the most. The local retail investors continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.05mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.11mn changed hands across 17 deals. The Gulf institutions turned net profit takers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Islamic index was seen gaining faster than the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index rose 0.34%, All Share Index by 0.37% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.45% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the rise. The industrials sector index expanded 0.76%, consumer goods and services (0.66%), realty (0.43%), banks and financial services (0.38%) and insurance (0.31%); while telecom and transport declined 0.84% and 0.3% respectively. Major gainers in the main market included Estithmar Holding, Qatar National Cement, Qatari Investors Group, Al Khaleej Takaful, Qamco, Meeza, Ezdan and Mazaya Qatar. In the venture market, Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value. Nevertheless, Ahlibank Qatar, QLM, Dlala, Doha Insurance and Ooredoo were among the shakers in the main market. In the juniour bourse, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares depreciate in value. The Arab retail investors’ net buying increased noticeably to QR12.91mn compared to QR8.74mn on August 28. The domestic funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.1mn against net profit takers of QR10.93mn on Monday. The foreign institutions’ net selling declined significantly to QR21.53mn compared to QR36.3mn the previous day. The Gulf individual investors’ net profit booking eased perceptibly to QR1.71mn against QR2.31mn on August 28. However, the Gulf institutions were net sellers to the extent of QR14.34mn compared with net buyers of QR5.57mn on Monday. The Arab institutions turned net profit takers to the tune of QR0.02mn against no major net exposure the previous day. The local retail individuals’ net buying weakened markedly to QR22.02mn compared to QR29.8mn on August 28. The foreign individual investors’ net buying shrank considerably to QR1.57mn against QR5.44mn on Monday. Trade volumes in the main market zoomed 73% to 234.54mn shares, value by 58% to QR589.03mn and deals by 48% to 21,447. The venture market saw more than doubling of trade volumes to 1.84mn equities and value more than quadrupled to QR4.09mn on more than doubled transactions to 334.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Monday shed more than 50 points despite buying support from the local, Arab and foreign retail investors. .text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px; }@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;} } **media[70687]** The telecom, realty and banking sectors witnessed higher than average net profit booking as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.48% to 10,336.17 points. The foreign institutions were seen bearish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 3.23%. About 71% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, which however touched an intraday high of 10,393 points. The Gulf individuals were seen net sellers in the main market, whose capitalisation eroded QR3.88bn or 0.63% to QR609.97bn with small and midcap segments losing the most. The Gulf funds lower net buying interests was visible in the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.61mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR1.46mn changed hands across 87 deals. The domestic institutions continued to be net profit takers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Islamic index was seen declining faster than the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index fell 0.48%, All Share Index by 0.55% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.58% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover grew amidst lower volumes. The telecom sector index tanked 1.74%, realty (0.97%), banks and financial services (0.76%), consumer goods and services (0.47%), transport (0.46%) and insurance (0.4%); while industrials gained 0.21%. Major shakers in the main market included Qatar Oman Investment, Salam International Investment, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Medicare Group, Ahlibank Qatar, Commercial Bank, Alijarah Holding, Qatari German Medical Devices, Widam Food, Qatar National Cement, Qamco and Ooredoo. Nevertheless, Gulf International Services, Meeza, Gulf Warehousing, Qatar Islamic Insurance and Estithmar Holding were among the gainers in the main bourse. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their stocks appreciate in value. The foreign institutions were net sellers to the tune of QR36.3mn compared with net buyers of QR0.42mn on August 27. The Gulf individual investors were net sellers to the extent of QR2.31mn against net buyers of QR0.27mn the previous day. The Gulf institutions’ net buying weakened noticeably to QR5.57mn compared to QR12.24mn on Sunday. However, the local individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR29.8mn against net sellers of QR5.83mn on August 27. The Arab retail investors’ net buying increased considerably to QR8.74mn compared to QR4.82mn the previous day. The foreign individuals’ net buying strengthened markedly to QR5.44mn against QR1.72mn on Sunday. The domestic funds’ net profit booking shrank perceptibly to QR10.93mn compared to QR13.64mn on August 27. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the third straight session. Trade volumes in the main market was down 1% to 135.23mn shares, while value rose 27% to QR373.53mn and deals by 35% to 14,478. The venture market saw a 30% contraction in trade volumes to 0.51mn equities, 29% in value to QR1.11mn and 18% in transactions to 140.

FTSE Russell, a London Stock Exchange group entity, has upgraded Ooredoo to large cap from midcap in its global equity index series (GEIS).The latest move comes in the backdrop of semi-annual review of FTSE Russell, which is a global index leader that provides innovative benchmarking, analytics and data solutions for investors worldwide.The index provider had downgraded Masraf Al Rayan to midcap from large cap; and Doha Bank to small cap from midcap segment.The index review changes announced may be subject to revision until close of business on September 1, 2023. Effective Monday, September 4, 2023, the index review changes will be considered final.The revision will be effective on September 14, 2023 after the close for the Qatari market.The FTSE GEIS is a global equity index framework that includes more than 16,000 large, mid, small and micro-cap securities across 48 developed and emerging markets.It has a wide range of indexes available for investors, allowing them to focus on specific markets and market segments.FTSE Russell calculates thousands of indexes that measure and benchmark markets and asset classes in more than 70 countries, covering 98% of the investable market globally.Dukhan Bank had found its place within the midcap segment in the GEIS.FTSE Russell also included Qatari German Medical Devices with its microcap segment, while it deleted Medicare Group from its small cap and Qatar Industrial Manufacturing and Doha Insurance from the microcap segments.

Credit expansion in the Gulf Co-operation Council or GCC banks remained strong during the second quarter (Q2) of 2023 despite higher interest rates, according to Kamco Invest, a regional economic think-tank.Several new big-ticket projects and reform initiatives were announced in the GCC giving further boost to corporate lending, Kamco Invest said in a report.Aggregate outstanding credit facilities in almost all the countries in the GCC showed sequential growth during the quarter mainly led by a robust projects market pipeline as well as government efforts to reduce the impact of higher interest rates, it said.Manufacturing activity data from Bloomberg (Markit whole economy surveys) showed PMI (purchasing managers' index) figures stayed strong during the quarter above the growth mark of 50 for Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE.The manufacturing activity in Saudi Arabia remained robust with PMI at 59.6 points during June-2023 and remained elevated at during July-2023 at a slightly lower mark of 57.7. The UAE and Qatar also boasted strong PMI figures of 56.9 and 53.8 during June-2023.Data from the GCC central banks showed a growth in lending across the region during Q2-2023 although the rate of growth decelerated in several markets during the quarter. Saudi Arabia recorded the strongest growth in outstanding credit facilities during Q2-2023 at 2.5%; while growth in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman were below 1%.The GCC banks continued to record growth in lending during Q2-2023 backed by growth in all markets in the GCC. Aggregate gross loans reached a new record high of $1.91tn, up 1.9% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) and 6.5% year-on-year (y-o-y).Saudi-listed banks reported the strongest q-o-q growth in lending at 2.7% to $640bn at the end of Q2-2023. Bahrain-listed banks were next with a growth of 2.5% in gross loans that reached $58bn; followed by UAE-listed banks with a growth of 2.1% to $529bn. Banks in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman reported slightly smaller growth in gross loans during the quarter.In terms of type of banks, conventional banks once again recorded a bigger growth in lending during the quarter with a growth of 2.2% to $1.3tn, while Islamic lender’s lending grew at almost half that pace of 1.3% to $596bn.The trend in net loan growth was almost in line with gross loan with aggregate net loans at $1.82tn at the end of Q2-2023 registering a q-o-q growth of 1.7%. The growth was led by higher net loans recorded in all GCC countries with Saudi Arabia recording the biggest growth of 2.8% q-o-q while that in Qatar was flat.The aggregate net interest margin (NIM) reported by the GCC-listed banks increased for the third consecutive quarter during Q2-2023 to 3.2% compared to 3.1% the previous quarter.The increase reflected elevated net interest income during the trailing twelve-month period adding additional rate hikes since the start of 2022. A smaller increase in earning assets also contributed to the growth in NIMs.The q-o-q growth in NIM was seen across the GCC banking sectors barring Qatar which reported a marginal decline during Q2-2023.The UAE-listed banks showed the biggest improvement in NIMs during the quarter with an increase of 16 bps to 3.44%, followed by Saudi Arabian banks at 3.23% and 3.05% by Qatari banks during Q2-2023.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Sunday opened the week on a stronger note with its key index gaining 22 points, extending the bullish run for the second consecutive session. .text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px; }@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;} } **media[70258]** Buying interests, especially in the telecom, transport, real estate, consumer goods and banking sectors led the 20-stock Qatar Index jump 0.21% to 10,386.51 points. The foreign individuals were seen net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses narrowed further to 2.76%. About half of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, which touched an intraday high of 10,398 points. The foreign institutions turned bullish in the main market, whose capitalisation added QR1.54bn or 0.25% to QR613.85bn with small and microcap segments gaining the most. The Gulf funds continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse, which saw a total of 1,845 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.01mn changed hands across four deals. The domestic institutions were seen increasingly into net profit booking in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Islamic index underperformed the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index rose 0.21%, All Share Index by 0.18% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.13% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline. The telecom sector index soared 2.78%, transport (0.46%), real estate (0.39%), consumer goods and services (0.38%) and banks and financial services (0.28%); while industrials and insurance declined 0.77% and 0.21% respectively. Major gainers in the main market included Meeza, Widam Food, Ooredoo, Medicare Group, Doha Insurance, Qatar National Cement and Gulf Warehousing. Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Lesha Bank, Estithmar Holding, Industries Qatar, Inma Holding and Al Khaleej Takaful were among the losers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value. The foreign individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.72mn compared with net sellers of QR6.51mn on August 24. The foreign institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR0.42mn against net sellers of QR7.17mn last Thursday. The local individuals’ net selling declined perceptibly to QR5.83mn compared to QR10.64mn the previous trading day. However, the domestic funds’ net profit booking expanded considerably to QR13.64mn against QR1.21mn on August 24. The Gulf institutions’ net buying weakened noticeably to QR12.24mn compared to QR16.85mn last Thursday. The Arab individual investors’ net buying decreased considerably to QR4.82mn against QR8.02mn the previous trading day. The Gulf individual investors’ net buying eased marginally to QR0.27mn compared to QR0.66mn on August 24. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the second straight session. Trade volumes in the main market shrank 15% to 136.99mn shares, value by 24% to QR294.36mn and deals by 38% to 10,724. The venture market saw a 30% contraction in trade volumes to 0.73mn equities and 30% in value to QR1.56mn but on 43% growth in transactions to 170.