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Doha's fixed income market Monday got the much-needed stimulus with Ahlibank Qatar becoming the first corporate entity to list its bond in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE).The listing of Ahlibank Qatar’s a QR500mn, 4.45%; three-year fixed rate note in the QSE comes two years after the Qatar Central Bank launched the third Financial Sector Strategy, which aims to further develop the financial sector in the country as part of the National Vision 2030.The bonds have started trading after a direct listing. The listing marks the first corporate bond issuance to be listed and traded on the Exchange and represents an important milestone in the development and diversification of Qatar’s capital markets.The bonds, which come under its broader $2bn euro medium-term note programme, are traded under the ticker “CA01”, and the indicative (reference) price for the first day of trading was set at 100% of the bond’s nominal value (QR1,000). A 10% price fluctuation limit — upward and downward — is applicable.The net proceeds from each issue of notes will be lent by the issuer (ABQ Finance) to the guarantor (Ahlibank Qatar) and will be used by the guarantor for its general corporate purposes, which include making a profit, or as otherwise specified in the final terms.A bell-ringing ceremony was held at the QSE to mark this milestone occasion. The event was attended by Dr Tamy bin Ahmad al-Binali, chief executive officer of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority; Abdullah Mohammed al-Ansari, chief executive officer of the QSE; Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim al-Thani, chief executive officer of Edaa; and Hassan Ahmed al-Efrangi, chief executive officer of Ahli Bank. Their presence underscored the high level of co-ordination and institutional alignment among the key entities of Qatar’s financial sector.Ahli Bank has long been a key contributor to Qatar’s financial landscape. The issuance of its inaugural QAR denominated corporate bonds supports the Bank’s efforts to diversify its funding sources, strengthen its capital structure, and enhance long-term financial stability. As one of the country’s established financial institutions, Ahli Bank continues to play an important role in delivering banking solutions and supporting economic development.The listing advances several priorities under the third financial sector strategy. These include market development, financial sector competitiveness, diversification of investment instruments, and broader access for investors. It expands the range of opportunities available to market participants and reinforces the depth and maturity of Qatar’s financial market.The QFMA, QSE, Edaa and Ahli Bank worked closely together to ensure a smooth and efficient listing process consistent with international standards. Their collaboration reflects a unified effort to strengthen market infrastructure, enhance regulatory coordination, and support greater participation from both local and international investors.Qatar’s capital market institutions continue to work to introduce new products and advance initiatives that reinforce the pillars of the Third Financial Sector Strategy. These efforts aim to enhance liquidity, improve market accessibility, and support the evolving needs of issuers and investors.One of the primary goals of developing Qatar’s financial markets is to encourage Qatari companies to raise funds from domestic sources and reduce their reliance on foreign funding. An important initiative in this context will be to establish general guidelines and policies to encourage corporate debt instruments issuance by Qatari companies.

Market EyeThe Qatar Stock Exchange was back in the negative terrain with its key index plummeting more than 143 points on an across the board selling pressure. The Gulf institutions were seen increasingly net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index tanked 1.33% to 10,607.96 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,750 points.The telecom and industrials counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure in the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated to 0.35%. About 83% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR9.03bn or 1.4% to QR633.74bn, mainly on large and midcap segments.However, the foreign institutions were increasingly bullish in the main market, which saw as many as 0.02mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.07mn trade across 23 deals. Both local retail investors and domestic funds were also increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the rise.The Islamic index was seen declining faster than the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Arab individuals were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Total Return Index shed 1.33%, the All Share Index by 1.25% and the All Islamic Index by 1.49% in the main market.The telecom sector index plunged 4.66%, industrials (1.77%), banks and financial services (0.97%), consumer goods and services (0.77%), transport (0.59%), insurance (0.42%) and real estate (0.3%). As many as eight stocks gained, while 43 declined and one was unchanged.Major shakers in the main market include Ooredoo, Gulf Warehousing, QLM, Inma Holding, Widam Food, Doha Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, QNB, Qatar Oman Investment, Mannai Corporation, Baladna, Industries Qatar, Gulf International Services, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Estithmar Holding, Qamco and Vodafone Qatar. In the juniour bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value. Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Dukhan Bank, Dlala, Beema and Nakilat were among the movers in the main market.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking expanded significantly to QR1.75bn compared to QR7.86mn the previous day. However, the foreign funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.45bn against net sellers of QR17.68mn on Wednesday. The local retail investors’ net buying increased considerably to QR143.08mn compared to QR12.31mn on November 19.The domestic institutions’ net buying strengthened substantially to QR142.35mn against QR14.02mn the previous day. The Arab individual investors’ net buying grew noticeably to QR9.5mn compared to QR4.93mn on Wednesday. The foreign retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR1.86mn against net sellers of QR5.28mn on November 19.The Gulf individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.39mn compared with net profit takers of QR0.43mn the previous day. The Arab funds had no major net exposure for the fourth straight session. The main market saw trade volumes more than double to 298.99mn shares and value jump more than five-fold to QR2.53bn on 17% growth in deals to 33,003. In the venture market, a total of 0.09mn equities valued at QR0.19mn changed hands across 13 transactions.

Weak oil and the US Fed rate uncertainty continued to have influence on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) with its key index losing as much as 46 points.The foreign funds were seen increasingly net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.43% to 10,800.54 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,867 points.The industrials, insurance, banks and real estate counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure in the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated to 2.17%.About 59% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR3.81bn or 0.59% to QR646.15bn, mainly on midcap segments.The foreign retail investors turned bearish in the main market, which saw as many as 0.04mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.11mn trade across 17 deals.Weakened net buying of domestic funds Gulf retail investors had its influence on the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the rise.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.However, the local individuals were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.17mn sovereign bonds valued at QR1.74bn trade across one deal.The Total Return Index shed 0.43%, the All Share Index by 0.49% and the All Islamic Index by 0.29% in the main market.The industrials sector index shrank 0.94%, insurance (0.79%), banks and financial services (0.64%) and realty (0.63%); while telecom gained 0.84%, transport (0.32%) and consumer goods and services (0.18%).As many as 31 stocks declined, while 18 gained and four were unchanged.Major shakers in the main market include Widam Food, Ezdan, Qatar Insurance, Qatar Electricity and Water, Qatar Oman Investment, QNB, Qatar Islamic Bank, Industries Qatar, Gulf International Services, Qatar National Cement and Gulf Warehousing. Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Vodafone Qatar, Doha Bank, Medicare Group, Qamco, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance and Nakilat were among the gainers in the main bourse.The foreign institutions’ net profit booking increased significantly to QR54.44mn compared to QR38.31mn on Sunday.The foreign retail investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR2.75mn against net buyers of QR1.36mn the previous day.The domestic institutions’ net buying declined noticeably to QR7.76mn compared to QR12.64mn on November 16.The Gulf individual investors’ net buying weakened markedly to QR2.29mn against QR4.39mn on Sunday.However, the local retail investors’ net buying expanded substantially to QR36.66mn compared to QR20.98mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR7.62mn against net sellers of QR4.25mn on November 16.The Arab individual investors’ net buying strengthened marginally to QR2.86mn compared to QR2.38mn on Sunday.The Arab funds had no major net exposure against net buyers to the tune of QR0.83mn the previous day.The main market saw 44% jump in trade volumes to 119.5mn shares and 71% in value to QR373.03mn on more than doubled deals to 33,531.In the venture market, a total of 0.03mn equities valued at QR0.07mn changed hands across 13 transactions.

Market EyeReflecting the fading rate cut hopes in the US; the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Sunday saw as much as 83% of the constituents end in the red, resulting in more than 111 points plunge in the key index and more than QR6bn erosion in capitalisation.The Gulf institutions were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 1.01% to 10,846.84 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,955 points.The local individuals’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated to 2.61%.The foreign funds continued to be net sellers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR6.37bn or 0.97% to QR649.46n, mainly on large and midcap segments.The domestic institutions were seen net buyers in the main market, which saw as many as 0.03mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.08mn trade across 27 deals.The Gulf retail investors were increasingly bullish in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The Islamic index was seen declining faster than the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The foreign individuals were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index shed 1.01%, the All Share Index by 0.87% and the All Islamic Index by 1.28% in the main market.The telecom sector index plummeted 2.91%, industrials (1.56%), transport (1.48%), real estate (0.98%), consumer goods and services (0.61%) and banks and financial services (0.43%); while insurance gained 0.64%.As many as 44 stocks declined, while only five gained and four were unchanged.Major shakers in the main market include Vodafone Qatar, Ooredoo, Qatar Oman Investment, Industries Qatar, Baladna, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Meeza, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Gulf International Services, Qamco, Barwa, Milaha, Gulf Warehousing and Nakilat.Nevertheless, Qatar Insurance, Commercial Bank, Ahlibank Qatar, Inma Holding and Al Khaleej Takaful were among the movers in the main bourse.The Gulf institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR4.25mn compared with net buyers of QR19.25mn the previous trading day.The local individual investors’ net buying declined substantially to QR20.98mn against QR40.82mn on November 13.However, the domestic institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR12.64mn compared with net sellers of QR16mn on Sunday.The Gulf retail investors’ net buying strengthened noticeably to QR4.39mn against QR2.4mn the previous trading day.The Arab individual investors’ net buying expanded perceptibly to QR2.38mn compared to QR1.77mn on November 13.The foreign retail investors’ net buying rose markedly to QR1.36mn against QR0.65mn on Sunday.The Arab funds were seen net buyers to the tune of QR0.83mn compared with no major net exposure the previous trading day.The foreign institutions’ net selling weakened significantly to QR38.31mn against QR48.99mn on November 13.The main market saw 33% contraction in trade volumes to 82.94mn shares, 42% in value to QR218.64mn and 33% in deals to 14,485.In the venture market, a total of 0.01mn equities valued at QR0.02mn changed hands across six transactions.

His Excellency the Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri met with Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security Ana Mendes Godinho, alongside senior Portuguese labour authorities. The meetings aimed to strengthen bilateral co-operation, exchange expertise, and explore best practices in labour governance and workplace development.Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration between the two countries, promoting knowledge transfer, and identifying strategic opportunities to advance joint initiatives in occupational health and safety, social protection, and workforce development.His Excellency Dr al-Marri highlighted Qatar's proactive approach to digital transformation in the labour market. He noted that comprehensive reforms, including modernised labour legislation and advanced inspection systems, have been implemented to promote flexibility, fairness, compliance, and sustainable working conditions, particularly in the areas of occupational safety and health.The minister also emphasised the alignment between Qatar's experience in social protection and decent work with Portugal's policies.He stressed that collaboration between the two nations represents a forward-looking model that balances economic efficiency with social equity. Attention was drawn to the memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Labour in Qatar and Portugal, which provides a framework for technical co-operation, joint training programmes, and the development of digital initiatives in labour inspection and workplace safety. The agreement further supports collaboration on social protection, youth engagement, and women's empowerment.

Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index lost 0.09 percent at the beginning of Monday's trading, dropping by 9.40 points to reach the level of 11,038 points compared to the previous session's close, under pressure from three sectors.QSE data showed positive performance for Transportation by 0.65 percent, Telecoms by 0.54 percent, Insurance by 0.39 percent, and Consumer Goods and Services by 0.23 percent. Meanwhile, the performance was negative for Real Estate by 0.16 percent, Banks and Financial Services by 0.29 percent, and Industrials by 0.37 percent.At 10:00 AM, QSE recorded 2,138 transactions worth QAR 33.621 million, distributed over 10.917 million shares.

The US Federal Reserve rate cut and easing of the US-China trade tensions had their positive influence on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), where bullish sentiments prevailed for the second consecutive week. The Gulf institutions were seen increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index settled 0.73% higher this week which saw the market heavyweight Industries Qatar (IQ) report QR3.4bn net profit in the first nine months (9M) of 2025. The telecom and insurance counters witnessed higher than average demand in the main bourse this week which saw Nakilat report net profit of QR1.31bn in January-September 2025. The Gulf retail investor turned net buyers in the main market this week which saw Ooredoo Group’s 9M-2025 net profit at QR3.1bn. The overall sentiments was seen upbeat in the market that otherwise saw shakers outnumber movers this week, which saw Aamal Company approved the sale of IMO Qatar to Frijns Structural Steel Middle East for QR6.5mn. The domestic institutions were seen increasingly net profit takers in the main bourse this week which saw Qamco report net profit of QR534mn in 9M-2025. The local retail investors were also increasingly bearish in the main market this week which saw Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding report a net profit of QR520mn in January-September 2025. The foreign individuals turned net sellers in the main bourse this week which saw a total of 0.06mn AlRayan Bank-sponsored exchange traded fund QATR worth QR0.13mn trade across 23 deals. The foreign funds were seen net profit takers in the main market this week which saw a total of 0.06mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange traded fund QETF worth QR0.6mn trade across 54 transactions. The Islamic index was seen gaining faster than the other indices of the main market this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. Market capitalisation added QR4.14bn or 0.64% to QR654.74n on the back of small and midcap segments this week which saw no trading of treasury bills. Trade turnover fell amidst higher volumes in the main market, while the junior bourse saw declines in turnover and volumes this week which saw the consumer goods, industrials and realty sectors together constitute more than three-fourth of the total trade volumes. The Total Return Index rose 0.73%, the All Share Index by 0.62% and the All Islamic Index by 0.81% this week which saw Meeza report net profit of QR42.4mn in January-September 2025. The telecom sector index surged 2.48%, insurance (2.32%), real estate (0.68%), industrials (0.52%), banks and financial services (0.48%) and consumer goods and services (0.44%), while transport was down 0.08% this week which saw Mekdam Holding Group’s 9M-2025 net profit at QR27.8mn. The market was skewed towards shakers with as many as 28 constituents reporting declines, while 22 gained and two were unchanged this week which saw Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance report net profit of QR93.08mn in 9M-2025. Major movers in the main market included QLM, Qatar German Medical Devices, Beema, Ooredoo, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Qatar Islamic Bank, Woqod, IQ, Qatar Insurance, Al Khaleej Takaful and Ezdan. In the juniour bourse, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate this week. Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Baladna, Qamco, Qatar Oman Investment, Mannai Corporation, Alijarah Holding, Qatar Electricity and Water, Aamal Company, Mazaya Qatar and Gulf Warehousing were among the shakers in the main market this week. The Gulf institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR191.29mn compared to QR36.59mn the week ended October 23. The Gulf individual investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.61mn against net profit takers of QR6.35mn the previous week. However, the domestic institutions’ net selling strengthened significantly to QR102.18mn compared to QR5.12mn a week ago. The Qatari individuals’ net selling expanded noticeably to QR78.59mn against QR63.59mn the week ended October 23. The foreign retail investors were net profit takers to the extent of QR7.85mn compared with net buyers of QR5.17mn the previous week. The foreign institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR2.53mn against net buyers of QR32.94mn a week ago. The Arab individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR1.75mn compared with net buyers of QR0.33mn the week ended October 23. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers to the tune of QR0.02mn the previous week. The main market saw 7% contraction in trade volumes to 551.21mn shares but on 14% jump in value to QR1.65bn and less than 1% in deals to 94,631 this week. In the venture market, trade volumes tanked 67% to 0.12mn equities, value by 68% to QR0.27mn and transactions by 65% to 45.

The American School of Doha (ASD) recently hosted the Global Art Teachers Exchange (GATE), an international conference that brings together visual arts educators from around the world to collaborate, learn, and celebrate creativity. Established in 2018, the GATE provides relevant, practical, and affordable professional development designed specifically for visual arts teachers. Each year, a different international school hosts this independently organised and funded event, with the goal of fostering collaboration and the exchange of innovative teaching practices. This year, the ASD welcomed 65 art educators from more than 25 countries, for a weekend of immersive workshops, presentations, and cultural excursions. The programme is aimed at inspiring new ideas and strengthening global connections in arts education. “After a year of preparation, from proposal to selection among top international schools, we were thrilled to open our doors to art educators from across the globe,” said ASD visual arts teacher and GATE team lead Klara Hermanek. “Our Visual Arts team is passionate about creating an environment where creativity, expertise, and collaboration thrive,” she said. “Hosting the GATE was a chance to share the love of art teaching with colleagues worldwide.” Spearheaded by Inge Winters, Joni Muller, Carla Otero, Wendy Zarter, Klara Hermanek, Ryan Pace, Liz Estudillo, and John Venditti, the ASD Visual Arts Department led the event, showcasing the school’s dedication to artistic excellence and global engagement. At the heart of the GATE is its participatory model: attendees lead workshops, facilitate discussions, and share classroom-ready resources. Sessions ranged from early childhood to high school art education, emphasising hands-on, practical approaches directly applicable to the classroom. The conference concluded with a strong sense of community and renewed enthusiasm for teaching the visual arts, underscoring the universal power of art to connect people across cultures and inspire lifelong learning, a statement added.

The exchange of Palestinian detainees and Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip began Monday morning as part of the initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) receiving seven Israeli captives. Meanwhile, Palestine Red Crescent Society crews entered Ofer Prison, west of Ramallah, to transfer a sick Palestinian detainee slated for release.The first phase of the plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end the war in the Gaza Strip includes the release of all living Israeli captives held in Gaza — a total of 20 people — in two groups. In addition, 28 bodies will be handed over gradually, depending on the progress of recovery efforts under the rubble in the Gaza Strip.In exchange, Israeli occupation authorities will release 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences, along with 1,718 detainees from Gaza who were arrested after the war began on Oct. 7, 2023.Authorities have transferred detainees designated for release from five central prisons to Ofer Prison, west of Ramallah, and others to Ketziot Prison in the Negev, in preparation for their transfer to the Gaza Strip and subsequently to Egypt.The swap process is being conducted under the supervision of an Egyptian-Qatari-US joint committee, which monitors the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.On Oct. 9, US President Trump announced an agreement to implement the first phase of his Middle East peace plan, which he had outlined earlier on Sept. 29. The plan calls for ending the war in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the exchange of captives and detainees.The ceasefire took effect last Friday, marking the start of the 72-hour deadline set by the agreement for completing the exchange process.According to organizations concerned with Palestinian detainees' affairs, the number of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons exceeds 11,000, amid dire conditions including torture, starvation, and systematic medical neglect, which has led to several deaths in custody.The number of detainees sentenced to life imprisonment has reached 350, with indictments filed paving the way for additional sentences. There are 53 female prisoners, including three from Gaza and two girls, and about 400 child prisoners held in Ofer and Megiddo prisons. The number of administrative detainees — held without trial — has reached around 3,380 as of October, the institutions reported.

More than 20 world leaders to attendMediators to ink guarantee documentCaptives, prisoners to be freed MondayA Gaza ceasefire was holding for a third day Sunday, ahead of a proposed hostage-prisoner exchange and a summit aimed at charting a path to peace after two years of war.US President Donald Trump is among the more than 20 world leaders expected in Egypt's Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh Monday for the Gaza peace summit co-hosted by his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. But neither Israel or Hamas will attend.Among those expected to attend are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jordan's King Abdullah II, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Trump is due to arrive in Israel Monday to address the Knesset, the parliament, before traveling to Sharm El Sheikh for the summit.Egypt has said 21 nations will take part, with representation also expected from the EU and Arab League, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, Indonesia, India and Germany, among others.Iran also said it received an invitation, but did not indicate whether it would attend.The mediating nations for the ceasefire deal in Gaza are to sign a document guaranteeing the agreement at the summit, a diplomatic source said."The signatories will be the guarantors -- (the) US, Egypt, Qatar and likely Turkiye," the diplomat said, after the Egyptian foreign ministry earlier said a document ending the war in Gaza was expected to be signed during the gathering.Israel expects all hostages held in Gaza to be freed early Monday, a spokeswoman for the prime minister's office said, adding that all surviving captives are to be released simultaneously."The living hostages are to be released together at one time to the Red Cross and transported among six to eight vehicles," Shosh Bedrosian told journalists.The initial stage of the ceasefire deal includes the release of 48 Israeli hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans held by Israel since the war broke out.An Israeli official said the Palestinian prisoners would be "released once Israel has confirmation that all of our hostages are across the border into Israel".A Hamas source close to the group's negotiating committee told AFP Sunday that it would not participate in governing post-war Gaza.More than 200 trucks carrying aid destined for Gaza, including six diesel fuel trucks and five carrying cooking gas, were unloaded Sunday at the Kerem Shalom crossing with the Palestinian territory.Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians poured back into a shattered Gaza City after the guns fell silent.

The US rate-cut hopes and Gaza ceasefire had their overarching influence on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), which reported gains this week vis-a-vis bearish spell in the previous three weeks.Notwithstanding selling pressure in five of the seven sectors, the 20-stock Qatar Index gained 0.65% this week which saw QNB report net profit of QR12.83bn in the first nine months of this year.The Gulf institutions were seen net buyers in the main bourse this week which saw Dukhan Bank post net profit of QR1.19bn in January-September 2025.The Arab individuals were increasingly net buyers in the main market this week which saw Mazaya Real Estate Development, in partnership with Al Jassasya Holding Company, launch a new project “Via D’oro” on Qetaifan Island in Lusail City.The Arab institutions turned bullish, albeit at lower levels, in the main bourse this week which saw QNB Group receive licence for a digital-first banking entity, ezbank, from the Central Bank of Egypt.The foreign funds’ substantially weakened net selling had its influence on the main bourse this week which saw QNB Group's successful refinancing of $1.5bn unsecured syndicated term loan facility.However, the local retail investors were increasingly net profit takers in the main market this week which saw a total of 0.77mn AlRayan Bank-sponsored exchange traded fund QATR worth QR1.88mn trade across 267 deals.The domestic funds were also increasingly net sellers in the main bourse this week which saw a total of 7,307 AlRayan Bank-sponsored exchange traded fund QATR worth QR0.08mn trade across nine deals.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices of the main market this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.Market capitalisation expanded QR3.63bn or 0.56% to QR654.22bn on the back of mid cap segments this week which saw no trading of treasury bills.Trade turnover and volumes were on the decrease in the main and junior markets this week which saw the consumer goods, industrials and realty sectors together constitute more than 77% of the total trade volumes.The Total Return Index rose 0.65%, the All Share Index by 0.71% and the All Islamic Index by 0.25%.The banks and financial services sector index shot up 1.56% and telecom 0.63%; while transport declined 0.74%, insurance (0.7%), real estate (0.65%), consumer goods and services (0.61%) and industrials (0.19%) this week.The market was otherwise skewed towards shakers with as many as 31 constituents reporting declines, while 20 gained and two were unchanged this week.Major gainers in the main market included Qamco, QNB, Al Mahhar Holding, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Qatar Islamic Bank, QIIB, Dukhan Bank, Aamal Company and Ooredoo.Nevertheless, about 59% of the traded constituents were in the red with major losers being Widam Food, Inma Holding, Ezdan, Qatar National Cement, Gulf Warehousing, Qatar German Medical Devices, Medicare Group, United Development Company, Mazaya Qatar and Nakilat in the main bourse.In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value this week.The Gulf institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR43.96mn compared with net sellers of QR50.01mn the previous week.The Arab individual investors’ net buying increased perceptibly to QR7.68mn against QR2.25mn the week ended October 2.The Arab institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR0.15mn compared with no major net exposure a week ago.The foreign institutions’ net selling weakened significantly to QR0.97mn against QR90.53mn the previous week.However, the Qatari individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR38.51mn compared with net buyers of QR124.11mn the week ended October 2.The domestic institutions’ net profit booking expanded marginally to QR13.16mn against QR12.59mn a week ago.The Gulf individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR0.73mn compared with net buyers of QR8.85mn the previous week.The foreign retail investors’ net buying shrank noticeably to QR1.57mn against QR17.92mn the week ended October 2.The main market saw a 9% contraction in trade volumes to 573.88mn shares, 24% in value to QR1.42bn and 22% in deals to 83,240 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes plummeted 90% to 0.06mn equities, value by 91% to QR0.15mn and transactions by 80% to 38.

Market EyeWeak energy prices, uncertainty on future Federal Reserve rate cuts and growing concerns on the US shutdown led to 95 points decline in index and more than QR6bn erosion in capitalisation in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), which closed in the negative for the third consecutive week.The Gulf institutions were increasingly net sellers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.87% this week which saw the International Monetary Fund (IMF) project a 4% medium-term growth for Qatar, reflecting the North Field expansion.About 83% of the traded constituents were in the red this week which saw the IMF find Qatar's banks to be in the pink of their health with strong capitalisation, liquidity and profitability.The domestic institutions turned bearish in the main market this week which saw Aamal Company’s board approve selling 51% stake in ECCO Gulf to its foreign partner Majorel Group Luxembourg for about QR36.4mn.The foreign funds continued to be net sellers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse this week which saw Techno Q win new government contracts valued at QR62mn.However, the local retail investors were increasingly net buyers in the main market this week which saw Aamal Company decide to establish a new joint venture in Qatar, operating in the oil and energy services sector, with Aamal Readymix and Oman's Mohammed Al Barwani Oil Services as partners.The foreign individuals were increasingly bullish in the main bourse this week which saw a total of 0.67mn AlRayan Bank-sponsored exchange traded fund QATR worth QR1.66mn trade across 260 deals.The Gulf retail investors were increasingly net buyers in the main market this week which saw 3,611 Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.04mn change hands across nine transactions.The Islamic index was seen declining faster than the other indices of the main market this week, which saw as many as 0.33mn of sovereign bonds valued at QR3.3bn trade across seven deals.Market capitalisation eroded QR6.16bn or 0.94% to QR650.59bn on the back of mid and small cap segments this week which saw no trading of treasury bills.Trade turnover and volumes were on the decrease in the main market, while those were on the rise in the venture market this week which saw the consumer goods and realty sectors together constitute about 51% of the total trade volumes.The Total Return Index shed 0.87%, the All Share Index by 0.75% and the All Islamic Index by 1.07% this week which saw QNB Group, in cooperation with Ajlan and Bros Holding, receive license for a digital-first banking entity, ezbank, from the Saudi Central Bank.The realty index tanked 1.53%, consumer goods and services (1%), industrials (0.8%), banks and financial services (0.73%), transport (0.62%), telecom (0.58%) and insurance (0.01%) this week which saw Oxford Economics report that said Qatar's renewed commitment to the North Field gas expansion will provide a big medium-term boost to the country's economyThe market was skewed towards shakers with as many 43 constituents reporting declines, while only nine gained this week which saw Qatar report a robust year-on-year double-digit jump in ships arrival through Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports in the first nine months of this year.Major losers in the main market included Ezdan, Mazaya Qatar, Qatar German Medical Devices, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Qatar Islamic Bank, Lesha Bank, Dukhan Bank, Salam International Investment, Baladna, Meeza, Aamal Company, Industries Qatar and Estithmar Holding this week which saw Ooredoo's fully owned fintech subsidiary's intention to form a strategic collaboration with PayPal.Nevertheless, Beema, QLM, Doha Bank, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Al Khaleej Takaful and Qamco were among the movers in the main market this week which saw Ashghal announce 13 new contracts worth QR12bn to enhance the infrastructure of road and drainage networks and public buildings and improve the quality of life in Qatar.The Gulf institutions’ net selling increased substantially to QR50.01mn compared to QR26.2mn the week ended September 25.The domestic funds turned net sellers to the tune of QR12.59mn against net buyers of QR83.9mn the previous week.However, the Qatari individuals’ net buying strengthened significantly to QR124.11mn compared to QR73.37mn a week ago.The foreign retail investors’ net buying expanded noticeably to QR8.85mn against QR11.38mn the week ended September 25.The Gulf individuals’ net buying rose perceptibly to QR8.85mn compared to QR5.26mn the previous week.The Arab individual investors turned net buyers to the extent of QR2.25mn against net sellers of QR9.25mn a week ago.The foreign funds’ net selling weakened considerably to QR90.53mn compared to QR138.69mn the week ended September 25.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers to the tune of QR0.23mn the previous week.The main market saw 29% contraction in trade volumes to 628.31mn shares, 19% in value to QR1.88bn and 6% in deals to 106,186 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes jumped 40% to 0.63mn equities and value by 40% to QR1.61mn on more than doubled transactions to 192.