The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) posted a robust weekly gain, with its benchmark index rising by 423.52 points or 4.1% to close at 10,684.66. The surge pushed total market capitalisation up by QR25.87 billion, ending the week at QR631.0 billion, a 4.2% increase from QR605.4 billion.
All 53 listed companies closed the week in positive territory. Mannai Corporation led the rally with a 19.4% gain, followed by Widam Food Company at 15.4%. Even the weakest performer, Dukhan Bank, edged up 0.4%.
Ramzi Qasmieh, Investment Director at Qatar Securities Company, credited the rally to fresh liquidity in the market following two key developments: the easing of tensions between Iran and Israel and the Qatar Investment Authority’s announcement of a $200 million active investment portfolio. Optimism around upcoming corporate earnings and potential semi-annual dividends also bolstered investor confidence.
Sector-wise, transportation stocks led with a 7.7% gain, followed by telecommunications at 7.5%. Key contributors to the index’s rise included Nakilat (+59.13 points), Qatar Islamic Bank (+45.37), and Ooredoo (+37.35).
While total traded value dipped slightly by 1.6% to QR3.02 billion, trading volume rose 3.9% to 1.22 billion shares. Ezdan Holding Group topped volume charts with 110.8 million shares traded. QNB Group was the most traded by value at QR314.9 million.
Foreign institutional investors were aggressive net buyers, purchasing QR730.7 million worth of equities — a significant jump from QR93.9 million the previous week. Qatari institutions were net sellers at QR634.5 million. Foreign retail investors posted net buying of QR5.8 million, while Qatari retail investors sold off QR101.9 million in shares.
Looking forward, Qasmieh anticipates continued positive momentum driven by portfolio rebalancing and the impact of upcoming earnings and dividend announcements. However, according to QNB Financial Services, global foreign institutions remain net sellers of Qatari equities year-to-date by $10.9 million, and GCC institutions by $27.7 million.
