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Saudi Arabia’s battered stock market is looking increasingly attractive to foreign investors because of rock-bottom valuations and bets that the oil price won’t drop much further.Investors from beyond the Arabian Gulf accounted for 41% of total Saudi equities buying in the week ended August 28, one of the highest ratios on record, according to Saudi stock exchange data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence.The flows signal that a rush of reforms making it easier for foreigners to buy Saudi stocks is working. For the time being, however, risks still have the upper hand with the Tadawul All Share Index down 11% year to date and domestic investors on the retreat, along with crude prices.Nishit Lakhotia, head of research at SICO Bank, said stock investors are currently pricing in a “worse-case scenario” for the Saudi market, which he expects to bottom out shortly, unless oil drops below $60 a barrel — which would amount to a roughly 10% drop from current levels.“We believe the momentum is still there in the economy, which does not warrant such depressed valuations,” he said. “While it’s hard to predict when exactly the market can turn, there will likely be a point — sooner than later — when smart investors will start buying.”The slump has made Saudi stocks look relatively attractive, with the benchmark index near the lowest price-to-earnings multiple in more than five years. Junaid Ansari, director of investment strategy and research at Kamco Investment Co, expects a sharp turnaround in sentiment from the fourth quarter, when investors start making allocations for 2026.“The Saudi market is an oversold market,” said Ansari. While foreigners have largely been net buyers, “the sellers are mainly institutions in Saudi Arabia which we believe are selling to focus on other investment opportunities in the Kingdom,” he said.Nevertheless, the weak oil market is weighing down Saudi assets. Brent crude is trading around $66 per barrel, well below the nation’s fiscal breakeven price of $94, according to Bloomberg Economics. If domestic investments by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund are included, the figure rises to $111.While foreigners accounted for about 35% of all Saudi stock purchases in August, continuing a strong trend, daily turnover on the market has dropped to the lowest level since 2023. This means that international investors are grabbing a bigger slice of a smaller pie.Still, the gloom over the kingdom’s stocks may be over-hyped, especially as a negative perception of earnings is in large part based on giants, such as Saudi Arabian Oil Company and Saudi Basic Industries Corp.Excluding Aramco and Sabic, Saudi stocks are showing roughly 7% profit growth, Kamco’s Ansari said. Even as the Tadawul index has declined, owners of Saudi National Bank and Saudi Telecom Co shares have seen 11% and 13% returns, respectively, so far this year.“Although earnings growth for 2025 and 2026 is among the lowest across emerging markets, valuations have become more attractive,” said Nenad Dinic, an emerging-markets equity strategist at Bank Julius Baer & Co Ltd.

Market EyeTracking weaker oil prices, the Qatar Stock Exchange Wednesday fell more than 41 points and its key barometer retreated below 11,200 levels as foreign funds hurriedly squared off their position.The telecom, industrials and real estate counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.37% to 11,142.37 points, although it touched an intraday high of 11,212 points.The foreign individuals were seen increasingly net sellers in the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated to 5.4%.About 61% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR3.49bn or 0.52% to QR664.85bn, mainly on small and microcap segments.However, the Gulf institutions were seen net buyers in the main market, which saw as many as 3,122 exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR7,490 trade across seven deals.The local retail investors were increasingly bullish in 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.The Arab individuals were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index shed 0.37%, the All Share Index by 0.4% and the All Islamic Index by 0.27% in the main market.The telecom sector declined 0.71%, industrials (0.64%), realty (0.48%), banks and financial services (0.37%), insurance (0.36%) and transport (0.26%); while consumer goods and services was up 0.05%.Major shakers in the main market included Estithmar Holding, Commercial Bank, Al Mahhar Holding, Meeza, Mazaya Qatar, QNB, Baladna, Industries Qatar, Ezdan, Ooredoo, Vodafone Qatar and Milaha.In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Mannai Corporation, Qatar Islamic Bank, QIIB, Inma Holding and Widam Food were among the gainers in the main market.The foreign institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR43.06mn compared with net buyers of QR10.76mn the previous day.The foreign retail investors’ net profit booking increased marginally to QR0.66mn against QR0.41mn on September 2.However, the Gulf institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR11.81mn compared with net sellers of QR6.07mn on Tuesday.The local retail investors’ net buying strengthened significantly to QR11.65mn against QR2.15mn the previous day.The Arab individual investors’ net buying expanded substantially to QR10.86mn compared to QR3.91mn on September 2.The domestic funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR8.63mn against net profit takers of QR10.75mn on Tuesday.The Gulf individual investors’ net buying increased marginally to QR0.77mn compared to QR0.4mn the previous day.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the third straight session.The main market saw a 57% jump in trade volumes to 134.27mn shares and 54% in value to QR401.92mn on more than doubled deals to 30,365.In the venture market, a total of 0.69mn equities valued at QR1.87mn changed hands across 107 transactions.

Market Eye The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Tuesday gained eight points as the telecom, real estate and banking counters witnessed higher than average demand. The foreign funds were seen increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index was up 0.07% to 11,183.57 points, although it touched an intraday high of 11,204 points. The Arab individuals were seen bullish in the main market, whose year-to-date gains improved to 5.79%. The local retail investors turned net buyers in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR1bn or 0.15 to QR668.34bn, mainly on microcap segments. The Gulf individuals continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw as many as 0.01mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.05mn trade across 12 deals. The domestic institutions turned net sellers in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline. The Islamic index was seen declining vis-à-vis gains in the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Gulf institutions were increasingly into net profit booking in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Total Return Index was up 0.07% and the All Share Index by 0.09%; while the All Islamic Index fell 0.02% in the main market. The telecom sector index gained 0.26%, realty (0.24%), banks and financial services (0.2%) and insurance (0.05%); while consumer goods and services declined 0.63%, transport (0.02%) and industrials (0.01%). Major movers in the main bourse included Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Gulf International Services, Qamco, Ezdan, Qatar Insurance, Estithmar Holding and Nakilat. Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, QLM, Ahlibank Qatar, Woqod, Doha Bank, Meeza and Industries Qatar were among the shakers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value. The foreign institutions’ net buying increased noticeably to QR10.76mn compared to QR2.07mn the previous day. The Arab individual investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR3.91mn against net sellers of QR1.76mn on Monday. The local retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR2.15mn compared with net sellers of QR3.2mn on September 1. However, the domestic funds turned net sellers to the tune of QR10.75mn against net buyers of QR1.21mn the previous day. The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking strengthened markedly to QR6.07mn compared to QR1.26mn on Monday. The foreign retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR0.41mn against net buyers of QR5.64mn on September 1. The Gulf individual investors’ net buying weakened perceptibly to QR0.4mn compared QR1.45mn the previous day. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the second straight session. The main market saw a 19% slump in trade volumes to 85.68mn shares and 6% in value to QR260.95mn but on 1% jump in deals to 14,534. In the venture market, a total of 0.21mn equities valued at QR0.56mn changed hands across 41 transactions.

Market Eye Oil price slippage had its reflection on the Qatar Stock Exchange, which Monday lost as much as 47 points as the Arab individual investors turned net profit takers. The insurance, industrials, transport and banking counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.42% to 11,175.48 points, although it touched an intraday high of 11,230 points. The Gulf institutions were seen bearish in the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated further to 5.72%. The domestic funds’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR2.51bn or 0.37 to QR667.34bn, mainly on small and microcap segments. The local retail investors continued to be net sellers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw as many as 2,438 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Doha Bank) valued at QR0.03mn trade across six deals. The foreign individuals turned net buyers in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline. The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The foreign institutions turned bullish in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Total Return Index shed 0.42%, the All Share Index by 0.39% and the All Islamic Index by 0.32% in the main market. The insurance sector index declined 0.8%, industrials (0.58%), transport (0.51%), banks and financial services (0.44%) and telecom (0.33%): while consumer goods and services gained 0.68% and real estate 0.12%. About 53% of the traded constituents were in the red with major losers in the main market being Estithmar Holding, Milaha, Qatar Insurance, QIIB, Commercial Bank, Industries Qatar, Ooredoo and Qatar Electricity and Water. Nevertheless, Qatar German Medical Devices, Meeza, Woqod, AlRayan Bank, Baladna and Al Faleh Educational Holding were among the movers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate in value. The Arab individual investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR1.76mn compared with net buyers of QR2.24mn on Sunday. The Gulf institutions were net sellers to the extent of QR1.26mn against net buyers of QR9.82mn the previous day. The domestic institutions’ net buying decreased noticeably to QR1.21mn compared to QR6.37mn on August 31. However, the foreign retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR5.64mn against net sellers of QR0.8mn on Sunday. The foreign institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR2.07mn compared with net sellers of QR12.01mn the previous day. The Gulf individual investors’ net buying expanded perceptibly to QR1.45mn against QR0.52mn on August 31. The local retail investors’ net profit booking weakened markedly to QR3.2mn compared to QR6.45mn on Sunday. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers to the extent of QR0.32mn the previous day. The main market saw 2% slump in trade volumes to 105.81mn shares, less than 1% in value to QR278.54n and 17% in deals to 14,385. In the venture market, a total of 0.07mn equities valued at QR0.2mn changed hands across 16 transactions.

Market EyeAhead of the US key inflation data in the US, the Qatar Stock Exchange listed, like other major Gulf bourses, saw severe selling pressure, leading to a 112-point plunge in its index and about QR7bn in capitalisation.The foreign institutions were seen increasingly net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.99% to 11,226.84 points, although it touched an intraday high of 11,367 points.The industrials, insurance and banking counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure in the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated further to 6.2%.The Gulf institutions turned bearish in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR6.93bn or 1.02 to QR670.75bn, mainly on large and small cap segments.The domestic institutions’ substantially weakened net buying had its influence on the main market, which saw as many as 2,966 exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.02mn trade across eight deals.However, the local retail investors were seen net buyers in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Arab individual investors turned bullish in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index shed 0.99% and the All Share Index by 1.06% and the All Islamic Index by 0.59% in the main market.The industrials sector index tanked 1.61%, insurance (1.26%), banks and financial services (1.25%), transport (0.27%) and consumer goods and services (0.24%); while telecom gained 0.25% and real estate 0.12%.About 71% of the traded constituents were in the red with major losers in the main market being Meeza, Industries Qatar, QNB, Qatar Insurance, Qatar Electricity and Water, Qatar Islamic Bank, Doha Bank, AlRayan Bank, Gulf International Services, QLM, Nakilat and Gulf Warehousing.Nevertheless, Ezdan, Medicare Group, Milaha, Vodafone Qatar, Inma Holding and Mazaya Qatar were among the gainers in the main bourse.In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate in value.The foreign institutions’ net profit booking increased drastically to QR50.95mn compared to QR31.06mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR1.6mn against net buyers of QR8.3mn on August 27.The domestic institutions’ net buying decreased substantially to QR18.76mn compared to QR31.4mn on Wednesday.The foreign individual investors’ net buying eased marginally to QR1.18mn against QR1.86mn the previous day.However, the Qatar individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR29.75mn compared with net sellers of QR6.35mn on August 27.The Arab retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR2.7mn against net sellers of QR3.38mn on Wednesday.The Gulf individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR0.18mn compared with net sellers of QR0.59mn the previous day.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net profit takers to the tune of QR0.18mn on August 27.The main market saw a 2% jump in trade volumes to 143.38mn shares, 4% in value to QR359.1mn and 5% in deals to 18,014.In the venture market, a total of 1.63mn equities valued at QR4.55mn changed hands across 275 transactions.

Market EyeThe Gulf institutions' stronger buying interests led the Qatar Stock Exchange to surge 112 points and its key index surpassed 11,400 levels and capitalisation add in excess of QR8bn.The banks, consumer goods and industrials counters witnessed higher than average demand as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.99% to 11,405.5 points, recovering from an intraday low of 11,265 points.The Gulf individuals’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main market, whose year-to-date gains widened to 7.89%.However, the foreign funds were seen net profit takers in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR8.06bn or 1.2% to QR679.79bn mainly on large and midcap segments.The local retail investors turned bearish in the main market, which saw as many as 3,240 exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.02mn trade across seven deals.The domestic institutions were seen increasingly net sellers in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The Islamic index saw slower gains than the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The foreign individuals turned net profit takers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index soared 0.99% and the All Share Index by 1.14% and the All Islamic Index by 0.64% in the main market.The banks and financial services sector shot up 1.66%, consumer goods and services (1.48%), industrials (1.16%) and real estate (0.36%); while telecom declined 1.56%, insurance (0.17%) and transport (0.16%).Major movers in the main market included Meeza, QNB, Industries Qatar, Woqod, Qatar Islamic Bank and Qatar Electricity and Water.Nevertheless, QLM, Ooredoo, Commercial Bank, Doha Bank, Gulf International Services, Qatar German Medical Devices, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Al Mahhar Holding, Estithmar Holding, Mazaya Qatar and Gulf Warehousing were among the shakers in the main bourse.In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.The Gulf institutions’ net buying strengthened substantially to QR180.48mn compared to QR6.82mn the previous day.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking weakened marginally to QR0.52mn against QR0.97mn on August 25.However, the foreign institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR105.83mn compared with net buyers of QR5.83mn on Monday.The local retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR45.84mn against net buyers of QR6.61mn the previous day.The domestic institutions’ net profit booking expanded perceptibly to QR22.51mn compared to QR19.74mn on August 25.The foreign individual investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR3.24mn against net buyers of QR2.1mn on Monday.The Arab retail investors’ net selling increased noticeably to QR1.98mn compared to QR0.67mn the previous day.The Arab institutions were net profit takers to the extent of QR0.56mn against no major net exposure on August 25.In the main market, trade volumes almost doubled to 238.65mn shares and value more than tripled to QR949.52mn on more than doubled deals to 34,915.In the venture market, a total of 0.23mn equities valued at QR0.62mn changed hands across 40 transactions.

Market EyeMirroring the global sentiments over uncertainties in the US Federal Reserve's rate cut path, the Qatar Stock Exchange Monday fell more than 29 points and its key index retreated below 11,300 levels and capitalisation eroded about QR3bn.The domestic funds were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.26% to 11,293.42 points, although it touched an intraday high of 11,350 points.The consumer goods, transport, banks and industrials counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure in the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated to 6.83%.More than 65% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation shed QR2.88bn or 0.43% to QR671.73bn mainly on small and microcap segments.The Arab individuals turned bearish in the main market, which saw as many as 0.02mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.04mn trade across six deals.However, the Gulf institutions were net buyers in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The Islamic index saw slower decline than the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The local retail investors and foreign funds were seen net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index shed 0.26% and the All Share Index by 0.38% and the All Islamic Index by 0.22% in the main market.The consumer goods and services sector index declined 0.56%, transport (0.54%), banks and financial services (0.38%), industrials (0.37%), insurance (0.23%), telecom (0.18%) and real estate (0.11%).Major losers in the main market included Baladna, Medicare Group, Alijarah Holding, Estithmar Holding, Milaha, QNB, Mannai Corporation and Industries Qatar.In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Doha Bank, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, QLM, Al Mahhar Holding and Meeza were among the gainers in the main market.The domestic institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR19.74mn compared with net buyers of QR4.54mn the previous day.The Arab individuals were net profit takers to the extent of QR0.67mn against net buyers of QR6.09mn on August 24.However, the Gulf institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR6.82mn compared with net sellers of QR7.1mn on Sunday.The local retail individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR6.61mn against net sellers of QR2.4mn the previous day.The foreign institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR5.83mn compared with net sellers of QR1.3mn on August 24.The foreign individual investors’ net buying strengthened marginally to QR2.1mn against QR1.58mn on Sunday.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking weakened perceptibly to QR0.97mn compared to QR1.41mn the previous day.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the second consecutive session.The main market saw a 6% jump in trade volumes to 121.84mn shares, 18% in value to QR311.22mn and 15% in deals to 13,997.In the venture market, a total of 0.6mn equities valued at QR1.66mn changed hands across 99 transactions.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Sunday opened the week weak with its key index losing 20 points despite gainers outnumbering losers by wide margin.The Gulf institutions were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.18% to 11,322.64 points, although it touched an intraday high of 11,388 points.The banks and insurance counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure in the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated to 7.11%.The Gulf individuals turned bearish in the main bourse, whose capitalisation shed QR1.11bn or 0.16% to QR674.61bn mainly on microcap segments.The local retail investors were increasingly net sellers in the main market, which saw as many as 45 exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank) valued at QR108 trade across one deal.The domestic institutions’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decrease.The Islamic index made gains vis-à-vis decline in the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The foreign funds continued to be net sellers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index was down 0.18% and the All Share Index by 0.23%; while the All Islamic Index was up 0.05% in the main market.The banks and financial services sector index declined 0.69%, insurance (0.34%) and telecom (0.18%); while industrials gained 0.57%, real estate (0.48%), transport (0.4%) and consumer goods and services (0.27%).Major losers in the main market included Baladna, QNB, Qatar Insurance, Qatar Islamic Bank, Doha Insurance, Mekdam Holding, Commercial Bank, QIIB, AlRayan Bank and Ooredoo.In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, about 59% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse with major gainers being QLM, Medicare Group, Al Faleh Educational Holding, Qatar German Medical Devices, Qatar Electricity and Water, Dlala, Mannai Corporation, Industries Qatar, Aamal Company, Qamco, Ezdan and Nakilat.The Gulf institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR7.1mn compared with net buyers of QR1.45mn last Thursday.The local retail individuals’ net selling increased marginally to QR2.4mn against QR2.18mn the previous trading day.The Gulf individuals were net profit taker to the extent of QR1.41mn compared with net buyers of QR0.4mn on August 21.The domestic institutions’ net buying decreased perceptibly to QR4.54mn against QR5.94mn last Thursday.However, the Arab individuals’ net buying expanded noticeably to QR6.09mn compared to QR2.32mn the previous trading day.The foreign retail investors’ net buying strengthened marginally to QR1.58mn against QR1.34mn on August 21.The foreign institutions’ net profit booking decreased markedly to QR1.3mn compared to QR9.1mn last Thursday.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net sellers to the extent of QR0.16mn the previous trading day.The main market saw a 9% contraction in trade volumes to 114.74mn shares, 24% in value to QR263.28mn and 46% in deals to 12,153.In the venture market, a total of 0.37mn equities valued at QR1.05mn changed hands across 54 transactions.