The Qatar Stock Exchange Sunday opened the week weak, mainly dragged by transport, telecom and consumer goods and services.
The Arab individuals were seen net profit takers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed more than 70 points or 0.64% to 10,918.43 points, although it touched an intraday high of 11,014 points.
The local retail investors’ weakened net buying had its influence in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 6.08%. The foreign funds were seen largely staying away due to the extended holidays across the globe.
The foreign individual investors’ weakened net buying had its say in the main bourse, whose capitalisation nevertheless saw QR2.38bn or 0.38% decrease to QR620.58bn, mainly on small and microcap segments.
About 56% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.18mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.48mn changed hands across 13 deals.
The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the main index in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds and treasury bills.
Trade turnover and volumes were in the decrease in the main market.
The Total Return Index shrank 0.64%, All Share Index by 0.48% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.62%.
The transport sector index tanked 2.01%, telecom (1.57%), consumer goods and services (1.18%), banks and financial services (0.43%) and insurance (0.12%); while real estate and industrials gained 0.59% and 0.13% respectively.
Major shakers in the main market included Milaha, Zad Holding, Ooredoo, Woqod, Qatar Insurance and Qatar Islamic Bank.
Nevertheless, QLM, Qatari German Medical Devices, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Al Khaleej Takaful, Inma Holding, Qatar National Cement, Qatar Electricity and Water, United Development Company and Gulf Warehousing were among the gainers in the main market.
The Arab individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR1.89mn compared with net buyers of QR2.3mn on December 22.
The local retail investors’ net buying weakened substantially to QR3.07mn against QR24.99mn the previous day.
The foreign individuals’ net buying eased marginally to QR1.97mn compared to QR2.04mn last Thursday.
However, the domestic institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR3.34mn against net sellers of QR7.61mn on December 22.
The Gulf institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR0.35mn compared with net sellers of QR0.78mn the previous day.
The Gulf retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.15mn against net profit takers of QR0.64mn last Thursday.
The foreign institutions’ net selling weakened significantly to QR6.99mn compared to QR20.29mn on December 22.
The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the fifth straight session.
The main market saw 27% contraction in trade volume to 69.38mn shares, 44% in value to QR174.86mn and 48% in deals to 5,895.
