The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index gained 17.34 points, or 0.15%, during the week to close at 11,772.08. Market capitalisation increased by 0.23% to QR617.9bn versus QR616.5bn at the end of the previous week. Of the 43 listed companies, 21 ended the week higher, while 19 fell and three remained unchanged. Dlala Brokerage and Investments Holding Co (DBIS) was the best performing stock for the week, with a gain of 6.84% on 1.2mn shares traded. On the other hand, Gulf Warehousing Co (GWCS) was the worst performing with a decline of 8.68% on 193,764 shares traded.
Gulf International Services (GISS), Vodafone Qatar (VFQS) and Aamal Holding (AHCS) were the primary contributors to the weekly index gain. GISS was the biggest contributor, adding 18.0 points to the index. VFQS added 9.8 points to the index, while AHCS contributed 8.0 points. On the other hand, Qatar Insurance Co (QATI) contributed negatively, erasing 3.7 points from the index.
Trading value during the week decreased by 0.6% to reach QR1.39bn vs. QR1.41bn in the prior week. The banks and financial services sector led the trading value during the week, accounting for 31.3% of the total trading value. The industrial sector was the second biggest contributor to the overall trading value, accounting for 26.3% of the total trading value. VFQS was the top value traded stock during the week with total traded value of QR148.5mn.
Trading volume decreased by 1.6% to reach 39.8mn shares versus 40.4mn in the prior week. The number of transactions fell by 2.7% to reach 21,121 versus 21,701 in the prior week. The real estate sector led the trading volume, accounting for 28.1%, followed by the telecoms sector, which accounted for 26.3% of the overall trading volume. VFQS was also the top volume traded stock during the week with total traded volume of 10.0mn shares.
Foreign institutions turned bullish during the week with net buying of QR33.7mn vs. net selling of QR107.5mn in the prior week. Qatari institutions turned bearish with net selling of QR63.3mn vs. net buying of QR47.8mn the week before. Foreign retail investors remained bearish for the week with net selling of QR19.9mn vs. net selling of QR8.4mn in the prior week. Qatari retail investors remained bullish with net buying of QR49.6mn vs. net buying of QR68.3mn the week before.
In 2015 year-to-date, foreign institutions bought (on a net basis) $645mn worth of Qatari equities.
