The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Index decreased 164.99 points, or 1.73% during the trading week to close at 9,398.09. Market capitalisation decreased by 1.58% to QR509.09bn versus QR517.28bn at the end of the previous trading week. Of the 44 listed companies, 13 companies ended the week higher, while 31 declined and 0 remained unchanged. Zad Holding (ZHCD) was the best performing stock for the week with a gain of 9.40% on 1,538 shares traded only. On the other hand, Gulf International Services (GISS) was the worst performing stock for the week with a decline of 10.39% on 9.8mn shares traded.
Industries Qatar (IQCD), QNB Group (QNBK) and Gulf International Services (GISS) were the primary contributors to the weekly index decrease. IQCD was the biggest contributor to the index’s weekly decline, deleting 48.41 points from the index. QNBK was the second biggest contributor to the decrease, shaving off 35.58 points from the index. Moreover, GISS erased 13.30 points from the index. On the other hand, Barwa Real Estate Co (BRES) contributed positively to the index, adding 8.42 points to the index.
Trading value during the week increased by 6.26% to reach QR1.17bn versus QR1.10bn in the prior week. The Banks and Financial Services sector led the trading value during the week, accounting for 28.86% of the total trading value. The Telecoms sector was the second biggest contributor to the overall trading value, accounting for 20.42% of the total trading value. Vodafone Qatar (VFQS) was the top value traded stock during the week with total traded value of QR211.1mn.
Trading volume increased by 32.82% to reach 49.86mn shares versus 37.54mn shares in the prior week. The number of transactions declined by 1.78% to reach 15,515 transactions versus 15,796 transactions in the prior week. The Telecoms sector led the trading volume, accounting for 46.52%, followed by the Real Estate sector which accounted for 17.84% of the overall trading volume. Vodafone Qatar (VFQS) was also the top volume traded stock during the week with total traded volume of 22.9mn shares. 
Foreign institutions remained bullish with net buying of QR13.6mn vs. net buying of QR35.4mn in the prior week. Qatari institutions turned bearish with net selling of QR110.0mn vs. net buying of QR53.7mn the week before. Foreign retail investors turned bullish with net buying of QR26.4mn vs. net selling of QR4.0mn in the prior week. Qatari retail investors turned bullish with net buying of QR70.0mn vs. net selling of QR85.1mn the week before. In 2017 YTD, foreign institutions bought (on a net basis) ~$740mn worth of equities.