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Rising expectations on the US rate hike by early next year and higher oil prices had their reflection in the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), whose index gained as much as 305 points.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[120870]**and capitalisation added QR15bn this week.The foreign institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shot up 2.96% this week which saw Qatar launch an electronic platform for arranging the general assemblies of the listed companies as part of efforts to enhance shareholder participation effectively.The domestic funds were also increasingly bullish this week which saw Petrotec, an Al Mahhar Holding subsidiary, win three major contracts for upgrade of electrical installations in Qatar.The Arab individuals turned net buyers this week which saw Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding shareholders to receive a second and last tranche of free incentive shares.As much as 73% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main market this week which saw a total of 0.4mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR0.92mn trade across 64 deals.The foreign individuals’ weakened net selling had its influence in the main bourse this week which saw this week which saw as many as 0.01mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.06mn change hands across 10 transactions.However, the local retail investors were increasingly net sellers in the main market this week, which saw the Qatar Central Bank suggest incentives to bigtech and fintech entities for facilitating their entry into the country.The Islamic index outperformed other indices in the main bourse this week which saw the banks and industrials together constitute about 66% of the total trade volumes.Market capitalisation was seen adding QR15.09bn or 2.53% to QR611.84bn on the back of large and midcap segments this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.Trade volumes and turnover were on the increase in both the main bourse and venture market this week, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index zoomed 2.96%, the All Share Index by 2.82% and the All Islamic Index by 3.02% this week.The insurance sector index shot up 7.07%, telecom (4.29%), industrials (2.89%), banks and financial services (2.8%), consumer goods and services (2.33%), real estate (2.26%) and transport (0.17%) this week.Major gainers in the main market included Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Doha Bank, MPHC, Qatar Insurance, Qatar Oman Investment, Commercial Bank, QNB, Qatar Islamic Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, Woqod, Mannai Corporation, Qatar Electricity and Water, Industries Qatar, Qamco, Barwa, Ooredoo, Vodafone Qatar and Nakilat. In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares appreciate in value this week.Nevertheless, Ahlibank Qatar, Dlala, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Milaha, Salam International Investment and Qatari Investors Group were among the losers in the main market. In the junior bourse, Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value this week.The foreign funds’ net buying increased substantially to QR462.04mn compared to QR165.49mn the week ended December 21.The domestic institutions’ net buying strengthened significantly to QR304.79mn against QR31.25mn the previous week.The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.47mn compared with net sellers of QR13.54mn a week ago.The foreign individuals’ net selling declined markedly to QR1.52mn against QR15.11mn the week ended December 21.However, the Gulf institutions’ net selling expanded considerably to QR532.11mn compared to QR73.28mn the previous week.The local retail investors’ net profit booking grew drastically to QR228.95mn against QR93.32mn a week ago.The Gulf retail investors’ net selling zoomed perceptibly to QR5.05mn compared to QR1.47mn the week ended December 21.The Arab institutions’ net profit booking rose marginally to QR0.67mn against QR0.02mn the previous week.The main market witnessed a 97% surge in trade volumes to 994.55mn shares and value more than doubled to QR3.73bn on doubled deals to 112,591 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes more than doubled to 2.33mn equities and value more than doubled to QR2.44mn on more than doubled transactions to 235.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Wednesday gained more than 67 points and its key index surpassed the 10,500 levels on an across the board buying, reflecting the global sentiments on expected rate cuts in the US, beginning early next year..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[110238]**The foreign institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.64% to 10,531.19 points.The insurance, transport, telecom and consumer goods counters saw higher than average demand in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 1.4%.The foreign individual investors were increasingly bullish in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR4.49bn or 0.74% to QR607.47bn with midcap segments gaining the most.The Arab retail investors’ lower net selling had its influence on the main market, which regained from an intraday low of 10,440 points.The Gulf individuals’ weakened net profit booking also had its say in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.1mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.24mn trade across 19 deals.The domestic institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index underperformed the other indices in the main bourse, which witnessed no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index was up 0.64%, the All Islamic Index by 0.43% and the All Share Index by 0.76% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The insurance sector index shot up 2.34%, followed by transport (1.7%), telecom (1.19%), consumer goods and services (0.98%), real estate (0.86%), banks and financial services (0.6%) and industrials (0.39%).Major gainers in the main market included Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Doha Bank, Qatar Insurance, Beema, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, QNB, Qatar Oman Investment, Woqod, Al Khaleej Takaful, Barwa, Ooredoo, Milaha and Nakilat.Nevertheless, Ahlibank Qatar, Salam International Investment, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Qatar Islamic Bank and Gulf International Services were among the losers in the main market.In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares depreciate in value.The foreign institutions’ net buying increased significantly to QR80.85mn compared to QR59.29mn on December 26.The foreign individual investors’ net buying grew perceptibly to QR3.52mn against QR2.88mn the previous day.The Arab institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.01mn compared with no major net exposure on Tuesday.The Arab retail investors’ net profit booking weakened markedly to QR0.57mn against QR3.24mn on December 26.The Gulf individuals’ net selling shrank noticeably to QR1.16mn compared to QR2.21mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking eased marginally to QR104.15mn against QR104.52mn on Tuesday.However, the local retail investors’ net selling expanded drastically to QR54.08mn compared to QR33.88mn on December 26.The domestic institutions’ net buying declined notably to QR75.52mn against QR81.69mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market grew 21% to 155.74mn shares, value by 47% to QR738.2mn and deals by 94% to 29,221.The venture market saw a 59% plunge in trade volumes to 0.12mn equities, 47% in value to QR0.17mn and 36% in transactions to 21.

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has suggested incentives to BigTech and fintech entities for facilitating their entry into the country.In its third financial sector strategy, built upon four pillars and supported by five cross-cutting themes and launched by HE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, the QCB recommended enhancing financial inclusion, measures to facilitate building a world-class shared market infrastructure and establishing a financial technology talent centre of excellence.The third financial sector strategy is to make Qatar a leading ecosystem embracing emerging technologies to accelerate digital transformation supported by adaptable and consistent regulatory frameworks and trusted market infrastructure.One of the select growth areas is to scale payments ecosystem by promoting fintech players in retail payments to stimulate ecommerce growth and development of leading market infrastructure to support innovation and collaboration.The financial sector strategy seeks to introduce cutting-edge solutions to the Qatari financial sector like platform trading, robo advisory, blockchain, artificial intelligence, digital assets and tokenisation.The strategy also aims at making the country a leader in digitalisation within Islamic finance and ESG (environment, social and governance).Overall, it "will be achieved through seven initiatives and 48 action items, including 20 priority ones", said the strategy, which comes as part of efforts to enhance the sector's contribution to QR84bn in gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 and transform the country into an innovation hub and global centre for cutting-edge financial services.A key initiative would be to develop and enhance the regulatory framework for distributed ledger technology, crypto and digital assets, and decentralised finance to ensure secure and trusted legal and economic environment as anti-money laundering, property right and know your customer (KYC)/know your transaction (KYT).The Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority and QFC Authority have jointly developed a QFC digital assets framework, which is designed to develop a legal and regulatory framework for digital assets through the establishment of a tokenisation framework in the QFC that will provide legal certainty and a trusted technology environment for digital assets.On building a world-class shared market infrastructure; the strategy said it includes a sandbox for incubating tech startups, leveraging trusted technologies and service providers to establish Qatar as a leading digital finance ecosystem (fintechs, insurtech and regtech).The initiatives are intended at developing data access and collection frameworks and capabilities from sector participants to enhance supervision and drive regtech and other innovation.Regtech is an emerging technology that involves the implementation of digital tools and processes that improve the way organisations manage their increasing regulatory compliance commitments."We believe in the importance of digital finance ecosystem in supporting the development process. As a result, we have adopted this ecosystem as a third pillar within our strategy to lead the digital financial transformation" for the sector to be pioneer in the adoption of modern technologies, according to the QCB governor Sheikh Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saoud al-Thani.

Stronger buying support from domestic and foreign institutions on Tuesday lifted the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) by 12 points, even as its capitalisation was on the decline..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[110238]**The insurance and telecom counters saw higher than average demand as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.11% to 10,463.87 points.The foreign retail investors were seen net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 2.03%.The Gulf funds however turned net profit takers in the main bourse, whose capitalisation shed QR0.82bn or 0.14% to QR602.98bn with microcap cap segments losing the most.The local retail investors were increasingly net sellers in the main market, which regained from an intraday low of 10,391 points.The Arab individuals were seen net sellers in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.06mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.13mn trade across 16 deals.The Gulf retail investors were seen bullish in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index outperformed the other indices in the main bourse, which witnessed no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index was up 0.11%, the All Islamic Index by 0.22% and the All Share Index by 0.02% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The insurance sector index tanked 1.11%, telecom (0.2%), consumer goods and services (0.11%) and industrials (0.06%); while transport declined 0.43%, real estate (0.38%) and banks and financial services (0.02%).Major gainers in the main market included Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Beema, Doha Bank, Mekdam Holding, Qatar Islamic Bank, Meeza and Qatar Electricity and Water.In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Gulf Warehousing, Qamco, QNB, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Ezdan, Qatari German Medical Devices and Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding were among the shakers in the main market.In the junior bourse, Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.The domestic institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR81.69mn compared to QR65.38mn on December 25.The foreign institutions’ net buying increased significantly to QR59.29mn against QR34.42mn the previous day.The foreign individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR2.88mn compared with net sellers of QR0.83mn on Monday.However, the Gulf institutions’ net selling strengthened drastically to QR104.52mn against QR73.66mn on December 25.The local retail investors’ net profit booking grew markedly to QR33.88mn compared to QR27.22mn the previous day.The Arab retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR3.24mn against net buyers of QR1.25mn on Monday.The Gulf individuals turned net profit takers to the tune of QR2.21mn compared with net buyers of QR0.95mn on December 25.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net profit takers to the tune of QR0.31mn the previous day.Trade volumes in the main market shed 32% to 128.47mn shares, value by 20% to QR502.87mn and deals by 10% to 15,033.The venture market saw a 40% plunge in trade volumes to 0.29mn equities, 38% in value to QR0.32mn and 39% in transactions to 33.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Monday gained more than 52 points on the back of buying interests, especially in the telecom and industrials counters. The domestic institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index gained 0.5% to 10,452.17 points. .text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px; }@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;} } **media[110238]** The foreign institutions were also increasingly bullish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 2.14%. As much as 65% of the traded constituents extended gains in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR2.24bn or 0.37% to QR603.8bn with small cap segments gaining the most. The local retail investors’ weakened net selling had its influence in the main market, which regained from an intraday low of 10,395 points. The foreign individuals’ lower net profit booking was seen in the main bourse, which saw as many as 7,800 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.04mn trade across six deals. However, the Gulf funds were seen increasingly into net selling in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Islamic index outperformed the other indices in the main bourse, which witnessed no trading of treasury bills. The Total Return Index gained 0.5%, the All Islamic Index by 0.41% and the All Share Index by 0.73% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the rise. The telecom sector index shot up 1.15%, consumer goods and services (0.8%), industrials (0.56%), real estate (0.49%), banks and financial services (0.36%) and insurance (0.11%); while transport declined 0.46%. Major gainers in the main market included Mannai Corporation, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Mekdam Holding, Inma Holding, Masraf Al Rayan, Commercial Bank, Woqod, Widam Food, Qatar Electricity and Water, Industries Qatar, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Vodafone Qatar and Gulf Warehousing. In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares appreciate in value. Nevertheless, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Milaha, QIIB, Lesha Bank and Aamal Company were among the shakers in the main market. The domestic institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR65.38mn compared to QR17.71mn on December 24. The foreign institutions’ net buying increased perceptibly to QR34.42mn against QR32.55mn the previous day. The Gulf individual investors were net buyers to the tune of QR0.95mn compared with net sellers of QR0.12 on Monday. The local retail investors’ net profit booking weakened marginally to QR27.22mn against QR29.62mn on December 24. The foreign individuals’ net selling declined noticeably to QR0.83mn compared to QR6.19mn the previous day. The Arab institutions’ net profit booking eased marginally to QR0.31mn against QR0.36mn on Monday. However, the Gulf institutions’ net selling strengthened drastically to QR73.66mn compared to QR22.52mn on December 24. The Arab retail investors’ net buying shrank considerably to QR1.25mn against QR8.55mn the previous day. Trade volumes in the main market rose 21% to 189.48mn shares, value by 44% to QR625.7mn and deals by 21% to 16,703. The venture market saw a 38% plunge in trade volumes to 0.48mn equities, 29% in value to QR0.52mn and 19% in transactions to 54.

High oil prices due to Red Sea tension and the softening of the tightening bias in the US rates had their reflection on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), whose key index soared as.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[117896]**much as 358 points and capitalisation by QR18bn this week, which however had truncated session in view of national holidays.The foreign funds were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index shot up 3.6% this week which saw the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority propose update to its prudential Islamic banking regime as part of ongoing work programme to implement the Islamic Financial Services Board framework.The banking and telecom counters witnessed higher than average demand this week which saw Qatar's third financial sector strategy aims at making Doha achieve developed market status by developing a competitive and innovative capital market through deepening the financial offerings, including more equities as well as debt and environment, social and governance bonds.The domestic funds were seen increasingly into net buying this week which saw Edaa postpone the implementation of the shortened trading cycle ‘T+2” from March instead of the earlier stipulated deadline of January 2024.The Gulf institutions’ weakened net profit booking had its influence in the main bourse this week which saw Wasata Financial Services announce market making for as many as 10 listed companies from January 2024.As much as 82% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main market this week which saw a total of 0.04mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR0.09mn trade across 17 deals.However, the local retail investors were increasingly net sellers in the main bourse this week which saw this week which saw as many as 0.04mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.41mn change hands across 31 transactions.The foreign retail investors turned bearish in the main bourse this week which saw QNB Financial Services stop liquidity provider activity for Masraf Al Rayan from December 26, 2023.The Islamic index underperformed other indices in the main bourse this week which saw the banks and industrials together constitute about 55% of the total trade volume.Market capitalisation was seen adding QR18.43bn or 3.19% to QR596.75bn on the back of large and midcap segments this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.Trade volumes and turnover were on the decline both in the main bourse and venture market this week, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index zoomed 3.6%, the All Share Index by 3.39% and the All Islamic Index by 2.79% this week.The banks and financial services sector index shot up 4.47%, telecom (4.11%), transport (2.52%), industrials (2.22%), real estate (1.69%), consumer goods (1.67%) and insurance (0.72%)The industrials sector index zoomed 1.94%, transport (1.36%) and realty (1.07%), while consumer goods and services declined 1.45%, telecom (0.63%), banks and financial services (0.27%) and insurance (0.23%) this week.Major gainers in the main market included Qatari German Medical Devices, Qatar Islamic Bank, Qamco, Nakilat, Commercial Bank, QNB, Masraf Al Rayan, Industries Qatar, Dlala, Salam International Investment, Mannai Corporation, Qatari Investors Group, Qatar Electricity and Water, Gulf International Services, Barwa, Ooredoo, Vodafone Qatar and Gulf Warehousing. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares appreciate in value this week.Nevertheless, Beema, QLM, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Doha Insurance and Milaha were among the losers in the main market this week.The foreign funds’ net buying increased substantially to QR165.49mn compared to QR105.85mn the week ended December 14.The domestic institutions’ net buying grew significantly to QR31.25mn against QR11.23mn the previous week.The Gulf institutions’ net selling weakened considerably to QR73.28mn compared to QR149.66mn a week ago.However, the local retail investors’ net selling strengthened drastically to QR93.32mn against QR3.97mn the week ended December 14.The foreign individuals were net sellers to the tune of QR15.11mn compared with net buyers of QR28.96mn the previous week.The Arab individuals turned net sellers to the extent of QR13.54mn against net buyers of QR8.16mn a week ago.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking rose perceptibly to QR1.47mn compared to QR0.62mn the week ended December 14.The Arab institutions were net sellers to the tune of QR0.02mn against no major net exposure the previous week.The main market witnessed a 33% plunge in trade volumes to 504.4mn shares, 39% in value to QR1.6bn and deals by 26% to 56,424 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes plummeted 53% to 0.87mn equities, value by 51% to QR0.97mn and transactions by 57% to 107.

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Thursday gained as much as 81 points to inch towards 10,300 levels, powered mainly by the transport and banking sectors..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[110238]**The foreign institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.79% to 10,285.3 points.The domestic institutions turned bullish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 3.71%.More than 55% of the traded constituents extended gains in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR4.05bn or 0.68% to QR596.75bn with small and microcap segments gaining the most.The local retail investors’ weakened net selling also had its influence on the main market, which regained from an intraday low of 10,164 points.The Gulf individuals’ lower net profit booking was seen in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.01mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.03mn trade across six deals.However, the Gulf funds were seen increasingly into net selling in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index rose slower than the main barometer in the main bourse, which witnessed no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index gained 0.79%, the All Islamic Index by 0.51% and the All Share Index by 0.77% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover declined amidst higher volumes.The transport sector index rose 1.37%, banks and financial services (1.2%), consumer goods and services (0.35%) and industrials (0.09%); while real estate was down 0.05%, insurance (0.04%) and telecom (0.01%).Major gainers in the main market included Qamco, Nakilat, Qatari German Medical Devices, Dlala, Qatar Islamic Bank, QNB, Commercial Bank, Qatari Investors Group, Qatar Electricity and Water, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Estithmar Holding and Vodafone Qatar.Nevertheless, Qatar Oman Investment, Gulf International Services, Al Khaleej Takaful, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Medicare Group, Baladna, Industries Qatar and Ooredoo were among the shakers in the main market.The foreign institutions’ net buying increased noticeably to QR34.86mn compared to QR31.75mn on December 20.The domestic funds turned net buyer to the tune of QR24.68mn against net profit takers of QR5.11mn the previous day.The local retail investors’ net selling weakened perceptibly to QR16.58mn compared to QR19.67mn on Wednesday.The Gulf individual investors’ net profit booking eased markedly to QR0.03mn against QR1.26mn on December 20.However, the Gulf institutions’ net selling strengthened drastically to QR31.43mn compared to QR1.79mn the previous day.The foreign individuals’ net profit booking expanded notably to QR8.79mn against QR5.8mn on Wednesday.The Arab retail investors were net sellers to the tune of QR2.69mn compared with net buyers of QR1.87mn on December 20.The Arab institutions were net profit takers to the extent of QR0.21mn against no major net exposure the previous nine sessions.Trade volumes in the main market rose 4% to 152.19mn shares, while value declined 2% to QR434.04mn and deals by 9% to 14,936.The venture market saw an 89% plunge in trade volumes to 0.03mn equities, 86% in value to QR0.05mn and 85% in transactions to seven.

Mirroring volatile oil prices in view of Red Sea situation and expectations of the US rate cuts, the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Wednesday gained 62 points and its key index surpassed 10,200 levels..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[110238]**A higher than average demand, especially in the banking, transport, telecom and insurance counters led the 20-stock Qatar Index jump 0.61% to 10,204.5 points.The foreign institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 4.46%.About 69% of the traded constituents extended gains in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR3.66bn or 0.62% to QR529.7bn with midcap segments gaining the most.The Arab institutions’ weakened net selling had its influence in the main market, which regained from an intraday low of 10,103 points.The local retail investors’ substantially lower net profit booking had its say in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.07mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.45mn trade across 37 deals.The Arab individuals were seen net buyers, albeit at lower levels, in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index rose slower than the main barometer in the main bourse, which witnessed no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index gained 0.61%, the All Islamic Index by 0.34% and the All Share Index by 0.67% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The banks and financial services sector index shrank 1.04%, transport (0.86%), telecom (0.79%), insurance (0.79%), consumer goods and services (0.4%) and real estate (0.29%); while industrials was down 0.18%.Major gainers in the main market included Qatari German Medical Devices, Qatar Oman Investment, Salam International Investment, Dlala, Nakilat, QNB and Qatar Islamic Bank. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, QLM, Qatar National Cement, Aamal Company, Lesha Bank, Milaha and Industries Qatar were among the shakers in the main market.The Arab individual investors were net buyers to the tune of QR1.87mn against net sellers of QR12.7mn on December 19.The Gulf institutions’ net selling weakened drastically to QR1.79mn compared to QR40.07mn the previous day.The local retail investors’ net profit booking declined significantly to QR19.67mn against sellers QR57.08mn on Tuesday.However, the foreign individuals’ net selling strengthened noticeably to QR5.8mn compared to QR0.5mn on December 19.The domestic funds turned net sellers to the extent of QR5.11mn against net buyers of QR11.67mn the previous day.The Gulf individuals’ net profit booking expanded perceptibly to QR1.26mn compared to QR0.19mn on Tuesday.The foreign institutions’ net buying decreased substantially to QR31.75mn against QR98.87mn on December 19.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the ninth straight session.Trade volumes in the main market tanked 29% to 146.22mn shares, value by 38% to QR443.3mn and deals by 35% to 16,323.The venture market saw a 52% plunge in trade volumes to 0.27mn equities, 39% in value to QR0.35mn and 15% in transactions to 46.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Tuesday opened the week on a stronger note with its key index gaining as much as 215 points and capitalisation adding about QR11bn, reflecting the global rally in anticipation of the US rate cuts..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[110238]**The positive regional sentiments in view of strengthened oil prices also had its influence on the 20-stock Qatar Index, which rose 2.17% to 10,142.72 points.The telecom, industrials and banking counters witnessed higher demand in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated further to 5.04%.About 88% of the traded constituents extended gains in the main bourse, whose capitalisation zoomed QR10.72bn or 1.85% to QR589.04bn with large and midcap segments gaining the most.The foreign institutions were seen increasingly bullish in the main market, which touched an intraday high of 10,171 points.The domestic funds were net buyers in the main bourse, which saw as many as 7,071 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.02mn trade across five deals.The Gulf institutions’ weakened net profit booking was visible in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index rose slower than the main barometer in the main bourse, which witnessed no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index soared 2.17%, the All Islamic Index by 1.92% and the All Share Index by 1.92% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The telecom sector index surged 3.3%, industrials (2.31%), banks and financial services (2.17%), real estate (1.44%), consumer goods and services (0.92%) and transport (0.28%); while insurance was down 0.03%.Major gainers in the main market included Gulf International Services, Ooredoo, Commercial Bank, Qatari German Medical Devices, Qatar Islamic Bank, QNB, Masraf Al Rayan, Baladna, Industries Qatar, Qamco, Qatar Electricity and Water, Barwa and Ezdan.In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Beema, QLM, Doha Insurance, Milaha, Qatar Islamic Insurance and Dukhan Bank were among the shakers in the main market.The foreign institutions’ net buying increased noticeably to QR98.87mn compared to QR80.36mn on December 14.The domestic funds were net buyers to the tune of QR11.67mn against net profit takers of QR50.18mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net selling weakened marginally to QR40.07mn compared to QR41.77mn last Thursday.However, the local individuals turned net sellers to the extent of QR57.08mn against net buyers of QR6.59mn on December 14.The Arab individual investors’ net selling strengthened considerably to QR12.7mn compared to QR4.6mn the previous day.The foreign individual investors were net sellers to the tune of QR0.5mn against net buyers of QR9.17mn last Thursday.The Gulf individuals turned net profit takers to the extent of QR0.19mn compared with net buyers of QR0.41mn on December 14.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the eighth straight session.Trade volumes in the main market tanked 34% to 205.98mn shares and value by 39% to QR719.77mn, whereas deals were up 6% to 25,165.The venture market saw a 33% surge in trade volumes to 0.56mn equities and 36% jump value to QR0.57mn but on 2% shrinkage in transactions to 54.

The Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) is proposing to update its prudential Islamic banking regime as part of ongoing work programme to implement the IFSB (Islamic Financial Services Board) framework.The QFCRA seeks amendments to its extant Islamic Banking Business Prudential Rules 2015 (IBANK) framework to include the IFSB approach for credit risk and BCBS (Basel Committee on Banking Supervision) counterparty credit risk; new norms related to credit risk management, prudential treatment for equity investment in funds, categorisation of problem assets and provisioning, and large exposures framework.The updated IBANK rules are expected to be in place on July 1, 2024.It is seeking to assess the impact of these proposals and these revisions support the QFCRA's commitment to the maintenance of high global regulatory standards for conventional and Islamic financial services and the continued development of the QFC as a leading financial and business centre in the Middle East.The QFCRA has proposed to update capital adequacy requirements in relation to credit risk and market risk in respect of Shariah compliant financing and investment instruments such as profit-sharing investment accounts and exposures relating to investments in sukuk, securitisations and real estate transactions.Proposing changes to credit risk management framework, the QFCRA seeks to include specific powers to direct banks to set specific credit limits and direct banks credit risk management framework where it considers that an Islamic bank is taking excessive credit risk relative to its financial or operational capacity.IBANK currently permits banks to use external ratings (where available) to assess exposures to other banks and corporates. Financing-to-Value (FTV) ratios and external ratings are also used to determine risk-weightings for real estate financing exposures.The IFSB-23 continues to permit the use of such external ratings and FTV ratios, but requires banks to undertake robust due diligence on the risk profile and characteristics of the counterparty before using the external ratings approach. IFSB-23 also introduces a recalibration of risk weightings in most asset classes.The QFCRA is proposing to update IBANK to include these new risk-weightings and exposures relating to banks and corporates, specialised financing, covered sukuk, real estate, equity, subordinate debt, off-balance sheet and currency mismatch.The proposed amendments to IBANK to calculate the capital charge for counterparty credit risk (CCR) for Shariah-compliant hedging instruments. CCR relates to potential loss that a firm may incur in the event that counterparty to a transaction default before the final settlement of the transaction's cash flows.The proposed CCR framework for bilateral transactions relates to exposures arising from over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives, long settlement transactions and securities financing transactions.The proposed framework includes new definitions for “non-performing exposure” and “forbearance” as well as proposal to introduce additional requirements related to write-downs and write-offs of defaulted exposures and collateral write-downs.The QFCRA is proposing to include the three approaches to address equity investments in an Islamic investment fund, allowing flexibility for the banks to use one or a combination of the three approaches to the fund’s underlying assets subject to certain conditions.On the large exposures framework, it said the aim is to act as a backstop to prevent a QFC Islamic bank from incurring disproportionately large losses because of the failure of an individual counterparty or group of connected counterparties due to the occurrence of unforeseen events.IBANK currently contains provisions dealing with concentration risk and large exposures, which are designed to complement the risk-based capital requirements in IBANK by protecting banks from large losses resulting from the sudden default of a single counterparty or a group of connected counterparties.However, large exposures provisions in IBANK were issued in 2016 and since that time, the BCBS has published additional qualitative and quantitative guidance on identification, measurement, and specific treatments for certain types of exposures that is relevant to Islamic bank large exposure risks.

The softening of the tightening bias in the US rate scenario had its reflection on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), whose key index gained as much as 80 points this week..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[115066]**The foreign institutions were increasingly net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index settled 0.81% higher this week which saw United Development Company receive bid from the Qatar Investment Authority to buy 40% of its stake in Qatar Cool."The Fed's statement following the announcement indicates a softening of the tightening bias...Markets were seeking clarity about rate cuts next year and the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) did not disappoint, as it signalled a potential Fed pivot," said Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer, Century Financial.The industrials, transport and real estate counters witnessed higher than average demand this week which saw Al Faleh Educational Holding received approval from the Qatar Financial Market Authority to shift its trading to the main market.The foreign individuals were increasingly bullish this week which saw global credit rating agency Moody’s affirm Commercial Bank’s rating of “A2/Prime-1” with “stable” outlook.The Arab retail investors turned net buyers this week which saw QIIN ink pact with Mastercard to develop digital channels for international remittances.As much as 64% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main market this week which saw N-KOM rebrand as Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions.The domestic institutions continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main bourse this week which saw Qatar report a double-digit year-on-year growth in the building permits issued in November 2023.The Gulf institutions were increasingly into net profit booking in the main market this week which saw contracts worth more than QR1.7bn signed until last November through cooperation with eight international companies and efforts underway to enhance the success of this initiative and support the private sector.The local retail investors turned bearish in the main bourse this week which saw a total of 0.09mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR0.2mn trade across 30 deals.The Gulf individuals were seen increasingly net selling in the main market this week which saw as many as 0.01mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR0.14mn change hands across eight transactions.The Islamic index outperformed the other indices in the main bourse this week which saw the industrials and banks together constitute more than 58% of the total trade volume.Market capitalisation was seen adding QR0.93bn or 0.16% to QR578.32bn on the back of microcap segments this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.Trade volumes and turnover were on the increase both in the main bourse and venture market this week, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index rose 0.81%, the All Share Index by 0.27% and the All Islamic Index by 1.59% this week.The industrials sector index zoomed 1.94%, transport (1.36%) and realty (1.07%), while consumer goods and services declined 1.45%, telecom (0.63%), banks and financial services (0.27%) and insurance (0.23%) this week.Major gainers in the main market included Beema, Ahlibank Qatar, Milaha, Qatar National Cement, Dukhan Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, QIIB, Alijarah Holding, Widam Food, Industries Qatar, Salam International Investment, Gulf International Services, Aamal Company, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Qamco and Ezdan. In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, QNB, Zad Holding, Mekdam Holding, Woqod, Qatari German Medical Devices, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing and Nakilat were among the losers in the main market. In the junior bourse, Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value this week.The foreign funds’ net buying increased substantially to QR105.85mn compared to QR30.34mn the week ended December 7.The foreign individual investors’ net buying expanded drastically to QR28.96mn against QR9.91mn the previous week.The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR8.16mn compared with net sellers of QR0.41mn a week ago.However, the Gulf institutions’ net selling increased perceptibly to QR149.66mn against QR143.02mn the week ended December 7.The local retail investors were net profit takers to the extent of QR3.97mn compared with net buyers QR40.01mn the previous week.The Gulf individual investors’ net selling strengthened marginally to QR0.62mn against QR0.11mn a week ago.The domestic institutions’ net buying weakened significantly to QR11.23mn compared to QR63.21mn the week ended December 7.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net buyers to tune of QR0.06mn the previous week.The main market witnessed a 26% surge in trade volumes to 753.76mn shares, 43% in value to QR2.6bn and deals by 15% to 76,689 this week.In the venture market, trade volumes shot up 32% to 1.86mn equities, value by 23% to QR1.96mn and transactions by 78% to 251.

The US rate hike pause substantially lifted the sentiments in the Qatar Stock Exchange, which on Thursday saw its key barometer surge 188 points and capitalisation add more than QR10bn..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[110238]**A higher than average demand, particularly in the banking counter, led the 20-Qatar Index to gain as much as 188 points or 1.93% to 9,927.72 points.The foreign institutions were seen net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated to 7.05%.More than 79% of the traded constituents extended gains in the main bourse, whose capitalisation shot up QR10.21bn or 1.8% to QR573.32bn with large and midcap segments gaining the most.The foreign retail investors were increasingly bullish in the main market, which touched an intraday high of 9,984 points.The local retail investors turned net buyers in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.01mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.07mn trade across four deals.The Gulf individuals were increasingly net buyers, albeit at lower levels, in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices in the main bourse, which witnessed no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index soared 1.91%, the All Islamic Index by 1.64% and the All Share Index by 1.86% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The banks and financial sector index surged 2.73%, industrials (1.5%), realty (1.49%), insurance (1.34%) and transport (0.6%); while telecom declined 0.39% and consumer goods and services 0.16%.Major losers in the main market included Ahlibank Qatar, Commercial Bank, Dukhan Bank, United Development Company, Qatar Islamic Bank, QNB, QIIB, Masraf Al Rayan, Baladna, Industries Qatar, Gulf International Services, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, QLM, Qatar Insurance and Milaha.In the venture market, Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Nakilat, Qatari German Medical Devices, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Lesha Bank, Zad Holding and Ooredoo were among the shakers in the main market.The foreign funds were net buyers to the tune of QR80.36mn compared with net sellers of QR0.46mn on December 13.The foreign individual investors’ net buying increased noticeably to QR9.17mn against QR3.76mn the previous day.The local individual investors turned net buyers to the extent of QR6.59mn compared with net sellers of QR0.7mn on Wednesday.The Gulf individuals’ net buying strengthened marginally to QR0.41mn against QR0.25mn on December 13.However, the domestic funds were net sellers to the tune of QR50.18mn compared with net buyers of QR21.56mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking expanded significantly to QR41.77mn against QR28.94mn on Wednesday.The Arab individual investors turned net sellers to the extent of QR4.6mn compared with net buyers of QR4.52mn on December 13.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the seventh straight session.Trade volumes in the main market more than doubled to 311.38mn shares and value more than doubled to QR1.18bn on 53% increase in deals to 23,771.The venture market saw 5% shrinkage in trade volumes to 0.42mn equities but on 8% jump value to QR0.42mn amidst 21% lower transactions at 55.

The Gulf Co-operation Council's (GCC) non-energy sectors are set to drive GDP (gross domestic product) growth in 2024 and the GCC inflation is slated to be around 2.5%, higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to (ICAEW), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW).The latest Economic Insight report for the Middle East, commissioned by ICAEW and compiled by Oxford Economics, said the region is expected to defy the global slowdown in 2024 as the non-energy sectors continue to drive growth.The pace of the Middle East’s GDP growth is predicted to rise to 3.2% next year, above the global GDP growth forecast of 2.1%.According to the Q4 (fourth quarter) report, the Middle East economy will expand less than initially expected this year, with GDP growth expected at 1.3%. However, growth will improve in 2024 and outpace most advanced and emerging economies.Projections for the GCC growth this year have been scaled back to 0.7% on large negative contribution from the energy sector amid ongoing curbs in oil production, it said.Highlighting that there are "promising signs" within the non-energy sectors, notably in Saudi Arabia and the UAE; the report said "the GCC's growth is expected to rise to 3.9% next year, primarily propelled by these industries."“The economic outlook this quarter has been significantly hampered by oil output cuts. We now expect GCC oil output to shrink by nearly 5% this year, which makes it the weakest performance since 2009, excluding 2020. However, despite oil production and prices, there remains positive momentum in the non-energy sectors and an overall investment drive across the region to support this growth,” Hanadi Khalife, Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said.The resurgence in travel and tourism across the region has been notably robust, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels in nearly every GCC country, it said, adding Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry continues to thrive, welcoming 27.6mn overnight tourists this year."This is expected to increase further, with a projected 30mn tourists by 2024 and more than 50mn by 2032," the report said, adding the government recently revised its 2030 visitor target to 150mn (both domestic and international), up from the previous 100mn, aiming for the tourism sector to contribute 6% of GDP in the current year and 10% by 2030.The introduction of a unified GCC tourist visa, expected to take effect in 2024 or 2025, will likely further amplify visitor arrivals to the region, according to ICAEW.Scott Livermore, ICAEW economic advisor, and chief economist and managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said the global economic backdrop is weakening as the world enters 2024, with most major economies poised for a significant slowdown."However, there are indicators of optimism for the region. We have seen better than expected recovery in the travel and tourism sector which will continue to drive GDP expansion next year, outpacing global growth forecasts,” he said.The report highlights that the GCC inflation is expected to be around 2.5%, mirroring the average rate expected across advanced economies of 2.4% next year and higher than pre-pandemic levels.Food, housing and services will continue to drive upward inflationary pressures, it added."Despite the relatively benign inflation outlook, most GCC central banks will reflect moves dictated by the Federal Reserve, consistent with the currency pegs to the US dollar. This alignment could result in an extended period of higher interest rates, coming down towards the end of 2024," it said.

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Wednesday snapped eight consecutive days of bearish spell to gain 13 points, even as capitalisation was on the decline..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[110238]**More than 63% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.14% to 9,740.11 points, ahead of the US Federal Reserve’ decision on rates.The transport, real estate and industrials counters witnessed higher than average demand in the main market, whose year-to-date losses truncated marginally to 8.81%.The domestic funds were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, whose capitalisation however was down QR0.4bn or 0.07% to QR568.11bn with microcap segments losing the most.The Gulf retail investors turned bullish, albeit at lower levels in the main market, which however regained from an intraday low of 9,680 points, even as it touched an intraday high of 9,786 points.The local retail investors’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main bourse, which saw as many as 6,425 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan) valued at QR0.01mn trade across two deals.The Gulf institutions’ lower net selling pressure had its say on the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen outperforming the main barometer in the other indices in the main bourse, which witnessed no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index rose 0.14% and the All Islamic Index by 0.67%, while the All Share Index was down 0.03% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The transport sector index shot up 1.25%, realty (0.99%) and industrials (0.7%), while telecom declined 0.88%, banks and financial services (0.46%), insurance (0.27%) and consumer goods and services (0.19%).Major gainers in the main market included Beema, Milaha, Qamco, Qatar Islamic Bank, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Doha bank, Qatar National Cement, Industries Qatar, Ezdan and Barwa.In the venture market, Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Commercial Bank, QNB, Ooredoo and Medicare Group were among the shakers in the main market. In the junior bourse, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.The domestic institutions’ net buying strengthened markedly to QR21.56mn compared to QR16.54mn on December 12.The Gulf individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.25mn against net sellers of QR1.24mn the previous day.The Gulf institutions’ net selling decreased significantly to QR28.94mn compared to QR47.59mn on Tuesday.The local individual investors’ net profit booking shrank considerably to QR0.7mn against of QR14.65mn on December 12.However, the foreign funds were net sellers to the extent of QR0.46mn compared with net buyers of QR37.38mn the previous day.The foreign individual investors’ net buying weakened perceptibly to QR3.76mn against QR4.49mn on Tuesday.The Arab individual investors’ net buying eased marginally to QR4.52mn compared to QR5.06mn on December 12.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the sixth straight session.Trade volumes in the main market were down 1% to 125.74mn shares, value by 8% to QR418.99mn and deals by 3% to 15,560.The venture market saw 4% shrinkage in trade volumes to 0.44mn equities and 7% in value to QR0.39mn but on 35% jump in transactions to 70.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) yesterday continued to be in a bearish phase for the eighth consecutive session, mainly on the Gulf institutions’ increased net profit booking pressure..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[110238]**The insurance, real estate, banking and transport counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index declined 10 points or 0.1% to 9,726.75 points.The local retail investors were increasingly net sellers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened further to 8.93%.More than 56% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR1.29bn or 0.23% to QR568.51bn with microcap segments losing the most.The Gulf individuals turned bearish in the main market, which however regained from an intraday low of 9,655 points.The foreign retail investors’ lower net buying had its influence in the main bourse, which saw as many as 5,025 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan) valued at QR0.01mn trade across one deal.However, the foreign funds were seen net buyers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen gaining vis-à-vis declines in the other indices in the main bourse, which witnessed no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index was down 0.1% and the All Share Index by 0.25%, while the All Islamic Index was up 0.06% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The insurance sector index plummeted 1.62%, realty (1.08%), banks and financial services (0.48%), transport (0.45%) and consumer goods and services (0.18%); while telecom and industrials gained 0.73% and 0.53% respectively.Major shakers in the main market include Qatar Insurance, QLM, Untied Development Company, Dlala, Mekdam Holding, Widam, Estithmar Holding, Barwa and Nakilat.Nevertheless, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Qatar National Cement, Al Khaleej Takaful, Industries Qatar, Ooredoo and Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding were among the gainers in the main bourse. In the venture market, both Al Faleh Educational Holding and Mahhar Holding saw their shares appreciate in value.The Gulf institutions’ net selling increased drastically to QR47.59mn compared to QR15.45mn on December 11.The local individual investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR14.65mn against net buyers of QR1.77mn the previous day.The Gulf individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR1.24mn compared with net buyers of QR0.02mn on Monday.The foreign individual investors’ net buying eased perceptibly to QR4.49mn against QR5.53mn on December 11.However, the foreign funds were net buyers to the tune of QR37.38mn compared with net sellers of QR3.72mn the previous day.The domestic institutions’ net buying strengthened markedly to QR16.54mn against QR11.26mn on Monday.The Arab individual investors’ net buying expanded significantly to QR5.06mn compared to QR0.58mn on December 11.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the fifth straight session.Trade volumes in the main market grew 21% to 127.61mn shares, value by 41% to QR456.52mn and deals by 24% to 16,120.The venture market saw doubled trade volumes to 0.46mn equities and value soared 40% to QR0.42mn and transactions by 68% to 52.

Apprehensions over the US rate cuts had its dampening effect on the Gulf shores, including the Qatar Stock Exchange, which Monday lost about 43 points in key index and more.text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[112014]**than QR3bn in capitalisation.The banking and industrials counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.43% to 9,736.35 points.The Gulf institutions continued to be net profit takers but with marginally lesser intensity, in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 8.84%.More than 65% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR3.45bn or 0.6% to QR569.8bn with small cap segments losing the most.The local retail investors’ weakened net buying had its influence in the main market, which touched an intraday high of 9,797 points.The domestic institutions’ lower net buying also had its say in the main bourse, which saw as many as 0.01mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.02mn trade across four deals.The Arab individuals’ weakened net buying was visible in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices in the main bourse, which witnessed no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index lost 0.43%, the All Islamic Index by 0.33% and the All Share Index by 0.56% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The banks and financial services sector index shed 0.87%, industrials (0.44%), consumer goods and services (0.25%), telecom (0.13%) and insurance (0.05%); while transport and real estate gained 0.14% and 0.04% respectively.Major shakers in the main market include Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, QNB, Al Khaleej Takaful, Qatari German Medical Devices, Dlala, Masraf Al Rayan, Baladna and Qatari Investors Group.Nevertheless, QLM, Lesha Bank, Widam Food, Mazaya Qatar, Nakilat, Qatar Oman Investment and Aamal Company were among the gainers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.The local individual investors’ net buying declined noticeably to QR1.77mn compared to QR3.01mn on December 10.The domestic institutions’ net buying weakened marginally to QR11.26mn against QR12.08mn the previous day.The Arab individual investors’ net buying shrank markedly to QR0.58mn compared to QR2.61mn on Sunday.The foreign individual investors’ net buying eased marginally to QR5.53mn against QR6mn on December 10.However, the Gulf individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR0.02mn compared with net sellers QR0.08mn the previous day.The foreign institutions’ net profit booking weakened perceptibly to QR3.72mn against QR7.71mn on Sunday.The Gulf institutions’ net selling decreased marginally to QR15.45mn compared to QR15.92mn on December 10.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the fourth straight session.Trade volumes in the main market soared 27% to 105.81mn shares, value by 46% to QR323.86mn and deals by 59% to 13,024.The venture market saw a 30% plunge in trade volumes to 0.23mn equities, 36% in value to QR0.3mn and 28% in transactions to 31.

Cybersecurity has never been a barrier to development and artificial intelligence (AI) will offer huge opportunities, even as AI has its own problems, according to a top official of National Cyber Security Agency of Qatar."The cybersecurity or the cyber system was never a challenge or a barrier to development,” Abdulrahman Ali al-Malki, president, National Cyber Security Agency, Monday told Doha Forum 2023,l which concluded Monday.Addressing a panel 'Securing Data in an AI Driven Era', he said when it comes to the AI, it is natural and inevitable, just as it was in the case of development of internet and cloud technologies."We should follow this natural development and to help parties that use AI and work on things that will help them or protect them while using the AI," he said.Highlighting that AI has its own problems, al-Malki said it has certain ethical issues and there was also the risk of misinformation or false information.Stressing that the AI is evolving very quickly, he said "we can agree on framework and the regulations and legislations for those who use AI to get the best results and finding, while protecting their data.""In the future, it is our duty to protect the cyberspace, even when people are using the technology and the AI," he added.Al-Malki highlighted the role of Qatar’s national committee for AI. The committee was established within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology under Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2021.Qatar's AI Strategy is structured around six thematic pillars which together will guide the country to transform itself for an AI+X Future. The moniker “AI+X” refers to the emerging consensus that AI technology will permeate into all secular aspects of human endeavors: health, entertainment, business activity, education and research.Muznah Siddiqui, Global Governance Research and Planning Associate, United Nations University Center for Policy Research, said data forms the bedrock of AI and one of the key challenges will be to develop a parallel process that governs AI."We need to develop systems of governance that are agile," she said, adding it is important for the regulators to govern AI on the basis of human rights.The main challenge, according to her, was how to ensure that governance of AI is truly multi stakeholder and how exactly it will help these partnerships between not only member state but also the private sector, civil society organisations and the technical community.Nudhara Yusuf, executive coordinator of the Global Governance Innovation Network, Stimson Center, said the critical issue with AI is that it is dual technology with massive positive uses.

The India, Middle East and Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) will help reduce transaction costs by as much as 30% and set the stage for a free trade agreement with the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), according to a top official of Observer Research Foundation."The IMEC is very important for India and also from the perspective of its integration with the GCC," Dr Nilanjan Ghosh, director, Observer Research Foundation, told Doha Forum Sunday.The proposed IMEC not only creates opportunity but also reduces transaction cost of doing business, he said."We create a much better regulatory framework or unified regulatory framework because in most cases, what happens is that the trading costs are enhanced somehow by differential regulatory frameworks by around 29% to 30%," he said, quoting the World Trade Organisation.The G20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023 saw the announcement of IMEC. The European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the US pledged to work together to upgrade and harmonise trade infrastructure between India, the GCC and Europe.The indicative estimates suggest that the IMEC could cut the time to send goods from India to Europe by 40% and slash transit costs by 30%.Terming that IMEC as an extension of the UAE-India comprehensive economic partnership agreement signed in 2022, Ghosh highlighted about the complementarities between the economies of India and the GCC in terms of trade.The IMEC represents an important shift in US and EU efforts to promote trade in the Middle East. Unlike past trade initiatives, it encompasses a broader coalition of regional and non-regional participants.He said the proposed IMEC creates product and factor markets, which enhance the scope of investments from the Middle East whether it’s in renewable energy, grain, hydrogen, solar, wind or creating food parks in India.Highlighting the complementarity between India and the GCC, Ghosh said it’s not merely an India-GCC kind of framework because IMEC looks at European market, finally backed up by the US."This creates an entire factor market framework here to cater to the broader product market framework in Europe," he said, adding this is going to be crucial when it comes to the India-GCC relationship."We are fully endorsing the Road and Belt Initiative from China and the last initiative from India to the Gulf and then forward to Europe," Dr Abdulaziz Sager, chairman, Gulf Research Center, said, adding that the GCC considers it important in terms of logistics hubs region wise.Lisa McGeough, co-head, Global Banking Coverage, HSBC, recently said Qatar is ideally placed to take advantage of the IMEC.