The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index declined by 44.07 points, or 0.32%, during the week, to close at 13,830.90 points. Market capitalisation increased by 0.49% to reach QR742.9bn compared to QR739.2bn at the end of the previous week. Of the 43 listed companies, 15 companies ended the week higher, while 27 fell and 1 remained unchanged. Ezdan Holding (ERES) was the best performing stock for the week, with a gain of 4.2% on 30.6mn shares traded; the stock is up 21.2% year-to-date (YTD). Qatar Cinema & Film Distribution Company (QCFS) was the worst performing stock, with a decline of 5.2% on only 473 shares traded. The stock is still up 14.7% YTD.
ERES, Ooredoo (ORDS) and Gulf International Services (GISS) pulled the QSE Index down during the week. ERES was included in the QSE index from October 01, 2014. In anticipation of being part of the QSE Index, the stock appreciated in the first three trading days of the week. However, post-inclusion the stock witnessed some profit-booking on the last two trading session pulling the overall QSE Index down. On the other hand, QNB Group (QNBK), Qatar Insurance (QATI) and Qatar Islamic Bank (QIBK) positively contributed to the QSE Index. QNBK contributed 49.9 points to the QSE Index.
Trading value during the week increased by 1.08% to reach QR2.74bn vs QR2.71bn in the prior week. The banks and financial services sector led the trading value during the week, accounting for 37.8% of the total equity trading value. The real estate sector was the second biggest contributor to the overall trading value, accounting for 30.6% of the total trading value. Ezdan Holding (ERES) was the top value traded stock during the week with total traded value of QR634.8mn.
Trading volume decreased by 2.2% to reach 65.4mn shares vs 66.8mn shares in the prior week. The number of transactions rose by 3.3% to reach 26,636 transactions versus 25,776 transactions in the prior week. The real estate sector led the trading volume, accounting for 56.2%, followed by banks and financial services sector which accounted for 21.7% of the overall trading volume. ERES was also the top volume traded stock during the week with total traded volume of 30.6mn shares.
Foreign institutions remained bearish during the week with net selling of QR364.6mn vs net selling of QR114.0mn in the prior week. Qatari institutions were bullish with net buying of QR191.2mn vs net selling of QR174.0mn the week before. Foreign retail investors remained bullish for the week with net buying of QR119.9mn vs net buying of QR34.5mn in the prior week. Qatari retail investors remained bullish with net buying of QR53.5mn vs net buying of QR253.8mn the week before.
Thus far in 2014, the QSE has already witnessed a net foreign portfolio investment inflow of $2.3bn.