The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index gained 235.28 points, or 1.98%, during the week, to close at 12,133.23. Market capitalisation increased by 1.30% to reach QR642.36bn compared to QR634.12bn at the end of the previous week. Of the 43 listed companies, 32 ended the week higher, while 9 fell and 2 remained unchanged. Ezdan Holding Group (ERES) was the best performing stock for the week, with a gain of 8.19% on 10.9mn shares traded. On the other hand, QNB Group (QNBK) was the worst performing stock with a decline of 1.44% on 1.4mn shares traded.
ERES, Masraf Al Rayan (MARK) and Industries Qatar (IQCD) were the primary contributors to the weekly index gain. ERES was the biggest contributor adding 112.41 points to the index’s weekly gain of 235.28 points. MARK tacked on 36.53 points, while IQCD added another 33.90 points. On the other hand, QNBK and Barwa Real Estate Co (BRES) contributed negatively to the index. QNBK and BRES erased 24.51 and 2.61 points off the index, respectively.
Trading value during the week increased by 54.23% to reach QR1.53bn vs QR991.12mn in the prior week. The banks and financial services sector led the trading value during the week, accounting for 31.03% of the total. The real estate sector was the second biggest contributor, accounting for 27.23% of the total trading value. QNBK was the top value traded stock during the week with total traded value of QR268.2mn.
Trading volume increased by 50.81% to reach 35.18mn shares vs 23.33mn in the prior week. The number of transactions increased by 20.77% to reach 17,051 versus 14,119 in the prior week. The real estate sector led the trading volume, accounting for 48.58%, followed by the banks and financial services sector (16.69%).
ERES was also the top volume traded stock during the week with total traded volume of 10.9mn shares.
Foreign institutions remained bullish during the week with net buying of QR161.1mn vs net buying of QR22.5mn in the prior week. Qatari institutions remained bearish with net selling of QR14.8mn vs net selling of QR32.9mn the week before. Foreign retail investors turned bullish for the week with net buying of QR31.9mn vs net selling of QR16.8mn in the prior week. Qatari retail investors turned bearish with net selling of QR178.4mn vs net buying of QR27.3mn the week before.
In 2015 year to date, foreign institutions bought (on a net basis) $515.1mn worth of Qatari equities.
