The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Tuesday lost more than 17 points, dragged mainly by the telecom, insurance, transport and real estate sectors.
The local retail investors were increasingly net sellers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.17% to 10,386.28 points.
The Arab institutions were seen net profit takers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses stood at 2.76%.
About 64% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR1.22bn or 0.2% to QR609.72bn with midcap segments losing the most.
The Gulf funds’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main market, which had hit an intraday high of 10,415 points.
However, the domestic institutions turned bullish in the main bourse, which saw a total of 0.02mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.07mn changed hands across five deals.
The foreign individuals were increasingly net buyers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.
The Islamic index was seen declining faster than the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.
The Total Return Index fell 0.17%, the All Share Index by 0.18% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.49% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover grew amidst lower volumes.
The telecom sector index tanked 1.04%, insurance (0.74%), transport (0.42%), real estate (0.38%) and banks and financial services (0.24%); while consumer goods and services gained 0.25% and industrials (0.19%).
Major shakers in the main market included Salam International Investment, Widam Food, Mazaya Qatar, Masraf Al Rayan, Qamco, Alijarah Holding, Mannai Corporation, Baladna, Meeza, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Qatar Insurance, United Development Company and Ooredoo.
In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares depreciate in value.
Nevertheless, Al Khaleej Takaful, Gulf International Services, Commercial Bank, Zad Holding, Al Meera, Industries Qatar, Barwa and Gulf Warehousing were among the gainers in the main bourse.
The local individuals’ net selling expanded perceptibly to QR23.22mn compared to QR20.81mn on September 11.
The Arab institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR0.16mn against no major net exposure the previous day.
The foreign institutions’ net buying weakened significantly to QR2.93mn compared to QR23.27mn on Monday.
The Gulf institutions’ net buying also decreased markedly to QR4.75mn against QR12.45mn on September 11.
However, the domestic institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR7.86mn compared with net sellers of QR6.93mn the previous day.
The foreign individual investors’ net buying grew noticeably to QR6.08mn against QR2.45mn on Monday.
The Arab retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR3.42mn compared with net sellers of QR7.15mn on September 11.
The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking eased perceptibly to QR1.66mn against QR3.27mn the previous day.
Trade volumes in the main market fell 15% to 249.32mn shares, while value shot up 7% to QR697.77mn and deals by 3% to 21,604.
The venture market saw a 24% expansion in trade volumes to 0.41mn equities, 2% in value to QR0.66mn and 4% in transactions to 48.