Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to have its influence in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), which on wednesday fell more than 51 points and capitalisation erode QR3.48bn.

The banks and industrials counters witnessed higher than average net profit booking as the 20-stock Qatar Index declined 0.51% to 10,136.99 points, but recovered from an intraday low of 10,081 points.

The foreign institutions were seen increasingly bearish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened further to 6.4%.

The Gulf institutions turned bearish in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted 0.59% to QR587.39bn on the back of midcap segments.

The Arab funds were seen net profit takers in the main market, which saw 4,811 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.01mn trade across three deals.

The foreign retail investors’ lower net buying had its influence in the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.

However, the domestic funds were seen increasingly into net buying in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.

The Islamic index was also seen declining in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.

The Total Return Index shed 0.51%, the All Share Index by 0.55% and the All Islamic Index by 0.51% in the main market.

The banks and financial services sector index declined 0.8%, industrials (0.53%), insurance (0.44%), real estate (0.19%), telecom (0.13%) and transport (0.06%); while consumer goods and services sector treaded a flat path.

As much as 70% of the traded constituents in the main bourse were in the red with major losers being QLM, Lesha Bank, Medicare Group, Masraf Al Rayan, Mazaya Qatar, QIIB, Doha Bank, Mannai Corporation, Industries Qatar, Aamal Company, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Estithmar Holding and Ezdan.

Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Beema, Woqod, Meeza and Widam Food were among the gainers in the main market. In the junior bourse, both Al Mahhar Holding and Techno Q saw their shares appreciate in value.

The foreign institutions’ net selling increased substantially to QR53.97mn compared to QR11.73mn on August 27.

The Gulf institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR1.08mn again net buyers of QR5.11mn the previous day.

The Arab institutions were net profit takers to the extent of QR0.09mn compared with no major net exposure on Monday.

The Arab individual investors’ net buying declined noticeably to QR4mn against QR8.73mn on August 27.

The foreign individuals’ net buying weakened marginally to QR2.19mn compared to QR2.58mn the previous day.

However, the domestic funds’ net buying strengthened substantially to QR29.64mn against QR4.43mn on Monday.

The Qatari individuals turned net buyers to the extent of QR17.16mn compared with net buyers of QR9.34mn on August 27.

The Gulf retail investors’ net buying expanded perceptibly to QR2.13mn against QR0.23mn the previous day.

Trade volumes in the main market were up 1% to 181.36mn shares, value by 13% to QR431.52mn and transactions by less than 1% to 15,864.

The venture market saw 62% plunge in trade volumes to 0.55mn equities, 63% in value to QR1.24mn and 34% in deals to 83.