QNB Report

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) retreated by 127.63 points or 1.14% to close at 11,099.21. Market capitalisation declined 1.2% to QR662.7bn from QR670.8bn at the end of the previous trading week.

Of the 53 traded companies, 44 ended the week higher, while 32 ended lower and nine ended higher. Mannai (MCCS) was the best performing stock for the week, rising 11.6%. Meanwhile, Estithmar Holding (IGRD) was the worst performing stock for the week, declining by 10.7%.

Industries Qatar (IQCD), Qatar Islamic Bank (QIBK) and Estithmar Holding (IGRD) were the main contributors to the weekly index losses. They shaved 31.86, 26.03 and 14.16 points off the index, respectively.

Traded value during the week decreased 26.1% to QR1,647.4mn from QR2,228.1mn in the prior trading week. Baladna (BLDN) was the top value traded stock during the week with total traded value of QR143.1mn.

Traded volume decreased 24.2% to 574.9mn shares compared with 758.0mn shares in the prior trading week. The number of transactions inched up 0.6% to 96,797 vs 96,238 in the prior week. BLDN was the top volume traded stock during the week with total traded volume of 91.9mn shares.

Foreign institutions turned bearish, ending the week with net selling of QR56.5mn vs net buying of QR2.9mn in the prior week. Qatari institutions remained bullish, with net buying of QR14.5mn vs net buying of QR12.4mn in the week before. Foreign retail investors ended the week with net buying of QR34.4mn vs net buying of QR2.9mn in the prior week. Qatari retail investors recorded net buying of QR7.6mn vs net selling of QR18.2mn.

Global foreign institutions are net buyers of Qatari equities by $184.5mn YTD, while GCC institutions are net long by $76.2mn.

The QSE index closed down for the third week by 1.16% from the week before at 11,099.2 points. The recent correction is a natural phenomenon in the financial markets: markets correct after sharp rises. From a technical point of view, the index remains in a healthy uptrend as long as it stays above the 10,650 level. Major moving averages are stacked positively and pointing upwards, which support our bullish outlook over the coming months. We also stay dynamic with the signals offered to us by the market.