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The Qatar Stock Exchange Wednesday lost 47 points, mainly dragged by the Gulf institutions’ net profit booking pressure.A higher than average selling in the banks and financial services led the 20-stock Qatar Index fall 0.46% to 10,225.58 points, recovering from an intraday low of 10,195 points.The Arab retail investors were seen net sellers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 4.26%.The foreign institutions were seen bearish in the main bourse, whose capitalisation shed QR0.93bn or 0.16% to QR596.52bn, mainly on account of microcap segments.The foreign individual investors turned net sellers in the main market, which saw a total of 0.24mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR1.38mn changed hands across 64 deals.The Gulf individuals were also seen bearish in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index lost 0.46%, All Share Index by 0.43% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.03% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The banks and financial services sector index shrank 1.04%, consumer goods and services (0.37%), insurance (0.1%) and transport 90.03%); while telecom gained 1.5%, real estate (0.7%) and industrials (0.19%).Major losers in the main market included Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Qatar Islamic bank, Alijarah Holding, Medicare Group, Qatari Investors Group, Commercial Bank, Lesha Bank and Gulf Warehousing.Nevertheless, Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Beema, Qatari German Medical Devices, Estithmar Holding, Qatar Islamic Insurance, QIIB, Dlala, Qatar Electricity and Water, Ezdan Holding, United Development Company, Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar were among the gainers in main market. In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares appreciate in value.The Gulf institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR15.65mn compared with net buyers of QR6.83mn on April 11.The Arab individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR7.62mn against net buyers of QR3.14mn the previous day.The foreign institutions turned net profit takers to the tune of QR1.02mn compared with net buyers of QR13.54mn on Tuesday.The Gulf retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR0.45mn against net buyers of QR2.32mn on April 11.The foreign individual investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR0.05mn compared with net buyers of QR3.32mn the previous day.However, the local retail investors’ net buying strengthened significantly to QR42.67mn against QR3.91mn on Tuesday.The Arab institutions were net buyers to the extent of QR0.19mn compared with no major net exposure on April 11.The domestic institutions’ net selling decreased notably to QR18.08mn against QR33.06mn the previous day.In the main market, trade volumes jumped 18% to 173.8mn shares, value by 12% to QR435.92mn and deals by 24% to 17,602.

Qatari banks’ net earnings grew in 2022, driven by widening net interest margins and higher non-interest income, according to Moody's, an international credit rating agency.Moreover, the banks saw improved operating efficiency and their capital levels remain strong, even as loan-loss provisioning increased and is likely to remain elevated, Moody's said in a report.Qatari banks' combined net profit rose 8% for 2022 to QR23.4bn, as higher operating income more than offset a jump in provisioning costs. This performance factored in hyperinflationary accounting adjustments linked to Turkiye for two Qatari banks that have subsidiaries there."Net profit growth was consistent across the banks (except one bank) largely because of an 18% increase in net interest income and 11% growth in noninterest income such as fees and commissions," it said.Finding that Qatari banks' operating income grew by 13% during 2022, supported by a rise in both net interest income and noninterest income; Moody's said the interest rate environment reversed in 2022, driving aggregate growth of 18% in banks' net interest income.The growth reflected increasing asset yields, driven by rising interest rates, which more than offset higher funding costs, it said, adding while the banks' funding costs increased, they did not do so at the same rate. As a result, the banks' combined net interest margin rose to 2.3% from 2.1% a year earlier."We expect margins to face modest pressure particularly in a scenario of rising global rates and banks being unable to reprice loans. Despite margin pressure, likely modest credit growth in 2023 of around 5% would support net interest income," it said.Highlighting that cost efficiency is strength and improved further; the rating agency said the banks continued to improve their operating efficiency during 2022 as income growth surpassed expenses growth.While the benefits of the cost control measures initiated during the pandemic accrued fully in 2021, aggregate operating expenses for the Qatari banking sector increased by 6% during 2022 and were almost at the same level as in 2019.Despite the modest increase in aggregate costs, the cost-to-income ratio for the rated banks fell to 22% during 2022 from 24% a year earlier and 25% for 2020.Moody's said the banks maintained their capital buffers during the year, supported by strong earnings and solid profit retention.Their combined tangible common equity remained broadly stable at a high 16% of total risk-weighted assets as of December 2022. "We expect solid profitability and modest credit growth to support capital buffers at the current high levels during 2023," it said.On loan-loss provisioning, the rating agency said the provisioning charges increased by 13% during 2022 and consumed around 33.1% of pre-provision income, compared with 35% in 2021 and 20% in 2019.The increase was primarily because of a jump in both Stage 2 and 3 loan balances as the banks' domestic operations continued to feel the effects of the Covid-19 disruption.The increase in provisioning costs was driven by an increase in both the nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio and increase in Stage 2 balances, with the aggregate problem loans ratio rising to 2.9% of total loans as of December 2022 from 2.2% as of December 2021."We expect asset quality to weaken modestly as loans continue to migrate from Stage 1 to Stage 2 and to some extent Stage 3 during 2023," it said.

An across the board buying – especially in the insurance, telecom and consumer goods sectors – Tuesday lifted the Qatar Stock Exchange and its key index gained 44 points.The foreign institutions were increasingly into net buying as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.43% to 10,272.52 points.The market, which was skewed towards gainers, touched an intraday high of 10,316 points.The Gulf institutions were also increasingly into net buying in the main market, whose year-to-date losses narrowed to 3.82%.The foreign individuals’ bullish grip strengthened in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR0.71bn or 0.12% to QR597.45bn, mainly on account of small cap segments.The Arab retail investors turned net buyers in the main market, which saw a total of 0.1mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.68mn changed hands across 41 deals.The Gulf individuals were also bullish in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen outperforming the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index rose 0.43%, the All Share Index by 0.37% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.47% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The insurance sector index shot up 1.47%, telecom (0.7%), consumer goods and services (0.49%), transport (0.35%), banks and financial services (0.33%), real estate (0.31%) and industrials (0.21%).More than 59% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main market with major movers being Alijarah Holding, Gulf International Services, Qatar Insurance, Qatari German Medical Devices, QIIB, Mannai Corporation, Baladna, Ezdan Holding, Mazaya Qatar and Ooredoo.Nevertheless, Ahlibank Qatar, Inma Holding, Zad Holding, Mekdam Holding, Doha Insurance and Gulf Warehousing were among the losers in the main market. In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.The foreign institutions’ net buying increased perceptibly to QR13.54mn compared to QR12.09mn on April 10.The Gulf institutions’ net buying rose markedly to QR6.83mn against QR5.42mn the previous day.The foreign individual investors’ net buying grew noticeably to QR3.32mn compared to QR0.97mn on Monday.The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR3.14mn against net sellers of QR1.02mn on April 10.The Gulf retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR2.32mn compared with net sellers of QR0.13mn the previous day.However, the domestic institutions’ net selling increased notably to QR33.06mn against QR28.36mn on Monday.The local retail investors’ net buying weakened significantly to QR3.91mn compared to QR11.53mn on April 10.The Arab institutions continued to have no major net exposure for the fourth straight session.In the main market, trade volumes jumped 57% to 146.69mn shares, value by 47% to QR390.67mn and deals by 57% to 14,229.

The Qatar domestic institutions’ increased net profit booking Monday dragged the Qatar Stock Exchange more than 22 points.A higher than average selling pressure in the consumer goods, transport and banking counters led the 20-stock Qatar Index shed 0.22% to 10,228.84 points.The market, which was marginally skewed towards shakers, however touched an intraday high of 10,295 points.The Arab retail investors turned net profit takers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 4.23%.However, the foreign funds were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, whose capitalisation lost QR1.04bn or 0.17% to QR596.74bn, mainly on account of microcap segments.The local retail investors turned net buyers in the main market, which saw a total of 0.17mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR1.02mn changed hands across 49 deals.The Gulf funds were seen increasingly into net buying in the main bourse, 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 shed 0.22%, All Share Index by 0.17% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.26% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The consumer goods and services sector index fell 0.49%, transport (0.3%), banks and financial services (0.22%), telecom (0.11%), real estate (0.09% and industrials (0.08%); while insurance gained 0.83%.About 67% of the traded constituents in the main market were in the red with major losers being Gulf Warehousing, Al Meera, Beema, Widam Food, Qatar Islamic Insurance and Commercial Bank.Nevertheless, QLM, Ezdan, Vodafone Qatar, QNB and Qatar Electricity and Water were among the gainers in the main market.The domestic institutions’ net selling increased perceptibly to QR28.36mn compared to QR21.48mn on April 9.The Arab individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR1.02mn against net buyers of QR14.72mn the previous day.However, the foreign institutions’ net buying increased noticeably to QR12.09mn compared to QR7.75mn on Sunday.The local retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR11.53mn against net sellers of QR2.04mn on April 9.The Gulf institutions’ net buying strengthened markedly to QR5.42mn compared to QR1.35mn the previous day.The foreign individual investors’ net buying increased marginally to QR0.97mn against QR0.37mn on Sunday.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking eased perceptibly to QR0.13mn compared to QR0.66mn on April 9.The Arab institutions continued to have no major net exposure for the third straight session.In the main market, trade volumes shrank 21% to 93.7mn shares and value by 7% to QR266.2mn, while deals were up 8% to 9,038.

Qatar reported a modest 3% month-on-month increase in building permits issued in March this year with as much as three-fourth of the eight municipalities registering growth in permits, according to the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).Qatar saw as many as 666 building permits issued in March 2023, which however declined 32.6% on an annualised basis, said the PSA data.Al Rayyan, Doha and Al Daayen municipalities together constituted 67% of the total building permit issued in March 2023.The building permits data is of particular importance as it is considered an indicator for the performance of the construction sector which in turn occupies a significant position in the national economy.On a monthly basis, total building permits issued in Al Shahaniya reported a 140% surge, Al Shamal (25%), Al Khor (24%), Al Rayyan (18%), Al Wakra (3%) and Al Daayen (2%); even as those in Umm Slal and Doha declined 29% and 15% respectively in the review period.Of the total number of new building permits issued, Al Rayyan constituted 184 permits or 28% of the total, followed by Al Wakra 131 (20%), Al Daayen 126 (19%), Doha 115 (17%), Umm Slal 40 (6%), Al Khor 36 (5%), Al Shahaniya 24 (4%) and Al Shamal 10 (2%).On an annualised basis, total building permits issued in Doha plummeted 50.2%, Al Wakra (38.8%), Al Shamal (37.5%), Al Daayen (30%), Umm Slal (28.6%) and Al Rayyan (24.3%); while those in Al Shahaniya and Al Khor grew 41.2% and 16.1% respectively.The new building permits (residential and non-residential) constituted 240 permits or 36% of the total issued in February 2023, followed by additions 402 (60%) and fencing 24 (4%).Of the new residential buildings permits, villas topped the list, accounting for 80% or 153 permits, apartments 12% (23), and dwellings of housing loans 6% (11) in the review period.Among the non-residential sector, commercial structures accounted for 41% or 20 permits, the industrial buildings as workshops and factories 41% (20 permits), the governmental buildings 8% (four) and mosques 6% (three permits).Qatar saw a total of 401 building completion certificates issued in March 2023, of which 313 or 78% was for the new buildings (residential and non-residential) and 88 or 22% for additions.On an annualised basis, total building completion certificates issued in the country saw 5.9% fall with Umm Slal reporting 36.2% decline, Doha (18.2%), Al Wakra (12%), Al Rayyan (3%) and Al Daayen (1.1%); whereas those in Al Shamal shot up 350%, Al Shahaniya by 60% and Al Khor by 28.6% in the review period.Qatar saw a 17% month-on-month expansion in the total building completion certificates issued in March 2023 with Al Shamal registering a 500% surge, Al Daayen (30%), Al Rayyan (22%), Doha (11%), Al Khor (6%) and Umm Slal (3%); while Al Wakra saw 2% decline. The Al Shahaniya municipality maintained a flat path in the review period.Al Rayyan constituted 96 or 24% of the total number of building completion certificates issued in the review period, Al Daayen 22% or 87, Al Wakra 20% or 81, Doha 16% or 63, Umm Slal 7% or 30, Al Khor 4% or 18, Al Shamal 4% or 18; and Al Shahaniya 2% or eight in March 2023.Of the 241 residential buildings completion certificates issued, as many as 203 or 84% were for villas, 17 or 7% for dwellings of housing loans and 14 or 6% for apartments.Of the 203 villas completion certificates issued in March 2023, as many as 58 were in Al Rayyan, 43 in Al Daayen, 29 in Al Wakra, 24 in Doha, 21 in Umm Slal, 17 in Al Shamal, nine in Al Khor and two in Al Shahaniya.In the case of 14 apartments, Doha issued 10 completion certificates, two in Al Rayyan and one each in Al Daayen and Al Khor.

The used vehicles market in Qatar saw a positive course this February on an annual basis, according to the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).The transfer of ownership was reported in 32,553 vehicles in February 2023, which grew 7.1% year-on-year but fell 1.8% month-on-month. It constituted 26% of the clearing of vehicle-related processes in the review period.In contrast, new vehicle registrations registered a 15% and 8.2% decline on a yearly and monthly basis, respectively, in February 2023.The country saw as many as 5,862 new vehicles registered in February 2023, of which as much as 90% was for private use.The registration of new private vehicles stood at 4,286, which declined 1.5% and 14.1% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in February 2023. Such vehicles constituted 73% of the total new vehicles registered in the country in the review period.The registration of new private transport vehicles stood at 983, which fell 22.5% on an annualised basis but shot up 7.1% on a monthly basis in February 2023. Such vehicles constituted 17% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The registration of new private motorcycles stood at 277 units, which plunged 72.6% year-on-year but zoomed 30.1% month-on-month in February 2023. These constituted 5% of the total new vehicles in the review period.The new registration of other non-specified vehicles stood at 153 units, which grew almost 13-fold and three-fold year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in February 2023. It constituted 3% of the total new vehicles in February 2023.The registration of new heavy equipment stood at 132, which constituted 2% of the total registrations in February 2023. Their registrations had seen 31.6% and 18.5% contractions year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in the review period.The registration of trailers amounted to 31 units, which reported 51.6% plunge on an annualised and monthly basis respectively in the review period.The renewal of registration was reported in 70,871 units, which was up 4.7% year-on-year but declined 14.5% month-on-month in February 2023. It constituted 57% of the clearing of vehicle-related process in the review period.The number of lost/damaged vehicles stood at 6,060 units, which shrank 28.4% and 23.8% on yearly and monthly basis respectively in February 2023.The modified vehicles’ registration amounted to 5,482, which expanded 33.7% year-on-year but declined 10.4% month-on-month in February 2023.The cancelled vehicles stood at 2,082 units, which declined 17.5% and 31.5% on yearly and monthly basis respectively in the review period.The number of vehicles meant for exports stood at 1,545 units, which reported 11.3% shrinkage on an annualised basis but rose 2.7% month-on-month in February 2023.The re-registration of vehicles stood at 73, which plummeted 42.5% and 27% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in February 2023.The clearing of vehicle-related processes stood at 124,643 units, which grew 2.3% year-on-year but tanked 11.6% month-on-month in the review period.Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports had handled 5,665 RORO (vehicles) in February 2023, which registered a 13.48% jump on an annualised basis but was down 0.75% on monthly basis. Hamad Port alone handled 5,653 units in February 2023.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Sunday opened the week weak with its key index down more than 91 points and its key index settled below 10,300 levels.A higher than average selling pressure in the consumer goods and transport sectors led the 20-stock Qatar Index to settle 0.88% lower at 10,250.99 points.The market, which was marginally skewed towards shakers, however touched an intraday high of 10,340 points.The local retail investors turned net profit takers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 4.03%.The Gulf individual investors were also seen bearish in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR3.69bn or 0.61% to QR597.78bn, mainly on account of midcap segments.The foreign institutions’ weakened net buying has its influence on the main market, which saw a total of 0.31mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR3.14mn changed hands across 172 deals.The Gulf funds’ lower net buying also had its say in dampening the sentiments in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the key barometer in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index shed 0.88%, the All Share Index by 0.81% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.82% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The consumer goods and services sector index tanked 1.43%, transport (1%), industrials (0.82%), banks and financial services (0.78%), real estate (0.75%) and telecom (0.64%); while insurance gained 0.44%.More than 72% of the traded constituents in the main market were in the red with major losers being Dlala, Mannai Corporation, Qatar National Cement, Gulf International Services, Woqod, Commercial Bank, Industries Qatar, Mazaya Qatar, Gulf Warehousing and Milaha. In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Inma Holding, Ahlibank Qatar, Doha Insurance, Al Khaleej Takaful and Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance were among the gainers in the main market.The local retail investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR2.04mn compared with net buyers of QR11.45mn on April 6.The Gulf individual investors were net sellers to the extent of QR0.66mn against net buyers of QR0.44mn the previous day.The foreign institutions’ net buying declined substantially to QR7.75mn compared to QR31.4mn last Thursday.The Gulf institutions’ net buying decreased perceptibly to QR1.35mn against QR8.67mn on April 6.However, the Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR14.72mn compared with net sellers of QR2.02mn the previous day.The foreign retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR0.37mn against net profit takers of QR1.62mn last Thursday.The domestic institutions’ net selling weakened substantially to QR21.48mn compared to QR48.32mn on April 6.The Arab institutions continued to have no major net exposure for the second straight session.In the main market, trade volumes shrank 32% to 119.04mn shares, value by 31% to QR285.69mn and deals by 44% to 8,345.

The Gulf institutions' increased buying interests led the Qatar Stock Exchange gain as much as 130 points in key index and QR9bn in capitalisation 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[15551]**The telecom, insurance, real estate and industrials sectors witnessed higher than average demand as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 1.27% this week which saw the Planning and Statistics Authority’s data suggest FIFA World Cop provided strong force multiplier to the local economy in the fourth quarter of 2022.The foreign funds were bullish this week, which saw the Qatar Financial Centre’s purchasing managers’ index suggest that demand gained momentum in the non-energy private sector, leading to a positive outlook for the economy in the next12 months.About 76% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main market this week, which saw the positive outlook for the country’s logistics and allied sectors with Hamad Port registering the highest-ever volume of breakbulk in March.The Arab institutions’ weakened net selling had its influence in the main market this week which saw the Group Securities announce market making for as many as 12 listed entities.However, the domestic institutions turned net profit takers in the main market this week, which saw a total of 0.47mn Masraf Al Rayan-sponsored exchange-traded fund QATR worth QR1.12mn trade across 30 deals.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the indices in the main market this week which saw as many as 0.15mn Doha Bank-sponsored exchange-traded fund QETF valued at QR1.6mn change hands across 85 transactions.Trade turnover and volumes were on the increase in the main market this week, which saw a global insurance rating agency A M Best assign a financial strength rating of A- (excellent) and a long-term issuer credit rating of “a-” (excellent) to Damaan Islamic Insurance Company (Beema) with a "stable" outlook.Market capitalisation was seen gaining QR8.98bn or 1.52% to QR601.47bn on the back of small and midcap segments this week which saw the industrials and banking sectors together constitute more than 61% of the total trade volume in the main market.The Total Return Index gained 1.27%, the All Share Index by 1.37%, and the All Islamic Index by 1.06% this week, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The transport sector index shot up 5.47%, telecom (3.46%), insurance (3.4%), realty (2.96%), industrials (1.5%), consumer goods and services (0.72%) and banks and financial services (0.45%) this week which saw no trading of treasury bills.Major gainers in the main market included Dlala, Widam, Al Khaleej Takaful, Gulf International Services, Qatar Insurance, Qatar Islamic Bank, Salam International Investment, Mannai Corporation, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Aamal Company, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, United Development Company, Ezdan, Mazaya Qatar, Ooredoo, Milaha and Nakilat this week.Nevertheless, Masraf Al Rayan, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, QLM, Mekdam Holding, Vodafone Qatar and Qatar National Cement were among the losers in the main market. In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares depreciate in value this week.The Gulf institutions' net buying increased drastically to QR47.43mn compared to QR6.68mn the week ended March 30.The foreign funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR29.76mn against net profit takers of QR86.29mn the previous week.The Arab individual investors’ net selling declined substantially to QR8.09mn compared to QR23.45mn a week ago.The Arab funds' net profit booking shrank considerably to QR8.31mn against QR20.84mn the week ended March 30.However, the domestic funds turned net sellers to the extent of QR74.84mn compared with net buyers of QR74.81mn the previous week.The Gulf individuals' net profit booking shot up markedly to QR14.73mn against QR1.25mn a week ago.The foreign individuals were net sellers to the tune of QR1.13mn compared with net buyers of QR8.61mn the week ended March 30.The local retail investors' net buying weakened perceptibly to QR29.92mn against QR41.74mn the previous week.Total trade volume in the main market decreased 24% to 744.68mn shares, value by 22% to QR1.96bn, and deals by 21% to 69,158.

The domestic funds were seen increasingly into profit booking as the Qatar Stock Exchange on Thursday lost 17 points.Higher than average selling pressure at the transport, banking and insurance sectors led the 20-stock Qatar Index to shed 0.16% to 10,342.43 points.The market, which was marginally skewed towards gainers, however touched an intraday high of 10,374 points.The Arab retail investors were net profit takers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 3.17%.The foreign individual investors turned bearish in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR0.43bn or 0.07% to QR601.47bn, mainly on account of microcap segments.The local retail investors’ marginally weakened net buying had its say on the main market, which saw a total of 0.18mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR1.1mn changed hands across 53 deals.However, the foreign institutions were net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen gaining vis-a-vis declines in the other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index shed 0.16% and the All Share Index by 0.18%, while the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) was up 0.05% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the incline.The transport sector index lost 0.93%, banks and financial services (0.72%) and insurance (0.44%); while telecom gained 2.58%, consumer goods and services (1.55%), real estate (0.63%) and industrials (0.09%).Major losers in the main market included QLM, Beema, Mekdam Holding, Milaha, Qatar Islamic Bank, Masraf Al Rayan and Al Khaleej Takaful. In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Widam Food, Gulf Warehousing, Ooredoo, Woqod, Estithmar Holding, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Doha Insurance, Barwa, Mazaya Qatar and Vodafone Qatar were among the gainers in the main market.The domestic institutions’ net profit booking increased substantially to QR48.32mn compared to QR27.04mn on April 5.The Arab individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR2.02mn against net buyers of QR2.58mn the previous day.The foreign retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR1.62mn compared with net buyers of QR1.52mn on Wednesday.The Gulf institutions’ net buying decreased considerably to QR8.67mn against QR13.71mn on April 5.The local retail investors’ net buying eased marginally to QR11.45mn compared to QR11.49mn the previous day.However, the foreign institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR31.4mn against net sellers of QR0.06mn on Wednesday.The Gulf individual investors were net buyers to the extent of QR0.44mn compared with net profit takers of QR0.12mn on April 5.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure against net profit takers to the extent of QR2.05mn the previous day.In the main market, trade volumes expanded 28% to 175.61mn shares, value by 24% to QR416.63mn and deals by 17% to 14,920.

The Middle East and Asia are slated to see the fastest annual growth in merchandise exports in 2024, in line with the positive trend in the macroeconomic growth prospects in the regions, according to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).In its Global Trade Outlook and Statistics, WTO said the Middle East region is expected to see 4.7% growth in 2024 compared to mere 0.9% in 2023. This year's growth is substantially lower than 9.9% estimated in 2022.The Middle East is expected to witness a 3.1% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2024 compared to 2.9% in 2023, higher than the world average of 2.6% and 2.4% respectively in the said periods.The Asia region's merchandise exports are slated to grow 4.7% in 2024 against 2.5% in 2023. The North America would see a growth of 3.1% in 2024 compared to 3.3% the previous year, CIS (The Commonwealth of Independent States) 2.2% (2.8%), Europe 2% (1.8%), Africa 1.4% (-1.4%) and South America 0.6% (0.3%).In terms of exports of digitally delivered services, WTO said Central and South America and the Caribbean as well as the Middle East saw an acceleration in growth in 2022, eve as Europe accounts for more than half of global exports of such services.According to the WTO estimates, global exports of digitally delivered services recorded an almost fourfold increase in value since 2005, rising 8.1% on average per year in 2005-2022, outpacing goods (5.6%) and other services exports (4.2%).Africa is slated to see fastest growth in imports at 5.5% in 2024 compared to 5.6% the previous year, Asia 5.2% (2.6%), South America 2.3% (-1.6%), Europe 1.8% (-0.6%), North America 1.4% (-0.1%) and CIS 0.8% (14.9%).The report highlighted that high prices for wheat and other grains were keenly felt in the Middle Eastern and African countries that relied heavily on imports from Ukraine and Russia before the war.

A double-digit jump in rooms' yield of five star hotels led Qatar's hospitality sector report a robust expansion in average revenue available per room in February 2023, according to the data from the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).The overall performance comes amidst strong visitor arrivals, especially from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and other Arab countries, said the PSA data.The country's hospitality sector saw a 6.01% year-on-year increase in average revenue per available room to QR247 in February 2023 as the average room rate jumped 3.1% to QR433 and occupancy by 1% to 57% in the review period.This positive trend in the hospitality sector’s room yield comes amidst a 406.3% surge in visitor arrivals to 389,222 in February 2023 with the majority coming from the GCC and Europe. On a monthly basis, the total visitor arrivals were up 14.3% in the review period.The visitor arrivals from the GCC were 146,235 or 38% of the total; followed by Europe 120,903 or 31%; other Asia (including Oceania) 71,448 or 18%; Americas 22,966 or 6%; other Arab countries 23,112 or 6% and other African countries 4,558 or 1%.The visitor arrivals from the GCC countries increased 685.8% and 3% on yearly and monthly basis respectively in February.In the case of visitors from Europe, it soared 503.5% on an annualised basis this February but shrank 20.4% month-on-month.In February 2023, the visitors from Americas were seen increasing 412.5% year-on-year but fell 6.4% on a monthly basis.The visitor arrivals from other Arab countries reported a 315% and 144.7% increase year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in February 2023.The visitors from other Asian countries (including Oceania) rose 168.7% on an annualised basis but plunged 23.3% on a monthly basis this February.In the case of other African countries, the visitor arrivals witnessed 185.4% jump year-on-year but fell 24.2% month-on-month.The five-star hotels saw the average revenue per available room increase 20.36% on annualised basis to QR337 in February 2023 as the average room rate grew 4.04% to Q592 and the occupancy by 8% to 57%.The average revenue per available room in the four-star hotels shrank 17.96% on a yearly basis to QR137 in February 2023 as the average room rate was down 0.39% to QR254 and the occupancy by 12% to 54%.The three-star hotels saw a 29.44% year-on-year contraction in average revenue per available room to QR139 as average room rate shrank 6.8% to QR192 and the occupancy by 24% to 72% in the review period.The two-star and one-star hotels' average revenue per available room declined 23.53% year-on-year to QR143 in February 2023 as the average room rate dipped 14.06% to QR165 and the occupancy by 10% to 87%.The deluxe hotel apartments saw a 4.1% year-on-year jump in average revenue available per room to QR203 in February 2023 as the average room rate in the category was seen gaining 2.7% on an annualised basis to QR380. However, the occupancy was flat at 53% in the review period.In the case of standard hotel apartments, the room yield plummeted 31.44% year-on-year to QR133 in January 2023 even as the average room rate rose 2.98% to QR242 amidst a 28% plunge in occupancy to 55%.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Wednesday lost about 37 points, mainly dragged by the telecom and industrials sectors.The domestic funds’ increased net profit booking led the 20-stock Qatar Index 0.36% to 10,359.22 points.The market, which was skewed towards decliners, had however touched an intraday high of 10,416 points.The Arab funds were increasingly net profit takers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses widened to 3.09%.A half of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR1.1bn or 0.18% to QR601.9bn, mainly on account of microcap segments.The foreign funds were net sellers, albeit at lower levels, in the main market, which saw a total of 0.3mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR1.02mn changed hands across 33 deals.However, the local retail investors were increasingly into net buying in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the main barometer in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index shed 0.36%, the All Share Index by 0.14% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.17% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The telecom sector index tanked 1.26%, industrials (0.52%), banks and financial services (0.31%) and consumer goods and services (0.06%); while insurance gained 1.55%, transport (1.54%) and real estate (1.03%).Major losers in the main market included Commercial Bank, Qatar National Cement, Woqod, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Vodafone Qatar, Ooredoo and Qatar Electricity and Water.In the venture market, Al Faleh Educational Holding saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Al Khaleej Takaful, Dlala, QLM, Zad Holding, Salam International Investment, Baladna, Estithmar Holding, United Development Company, Milaha and Nakilat were among the gainers in the main market.The domestic institutions’ net profit booking increased noticeably to QR27.04mn compared to QR2.54mn on April 4.The Arab institutions’ net selling expanded perceptibly to QR2.05mn against QR1.01mn the previous day.The foreign institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR0.06mn compared with net buyers of QR17.11mn on Tuesday.The Gulf institutions’ net buying decreased substantially to QR13.71mn against QR23.11mn on April 4.However, the local retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR11.49mn compared with net sellers of QR13.67mn the previous day.The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR2.58mn against net sellers of QR10.53mn on Tuesday.The foreign retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR1.52mn compared with net sellers of QR2.77mn on April 4.The Gulf individual investors’ net profit booking shrank markedly to QR0.12mn against QR7.69mn the previous day.In the main market, trade volumes fell 16% to 137.03mn shares, value by 26% to QR336.63mn and deals by 15% to 12,754.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Tuesday gained more than 97 points and its key index inched towards 10,400 levels, mainly lifted by the insurance and transport sectors.The Gulf institutions were seen increasingly into net buying as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.94% to 10,396.21 points.The market, which was skewed towards gainers, had touched an intraday high of 10,422 points.The domestic funds’ weakened net selling had its influence on the main market, whose year-to-date losses narrowed to 2.67%.About 76% of the traded constituents extended gains in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR5.78bn or 0.97% to QR603bn, mainly on account of midcap segments.The Arab institutions’ weakened net profit booking also had its say in the main market, which saw a total of 0.12mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.37mn changed hands across 11 deals.However, the local retail investors were increasingly into net selling in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than then other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index rose 0.94%, the All Share Index by 0.95% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.93% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase.The insurance sector index shot up 2.43%, transport (2.12%), banks and financial services (0.86%), real estate (0.86%), industrials (0.83%), telecom (0.67%) and consumer goods and services (0.45%).Major gainers in the main market included Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Gulf International Services, Milaha, Ezdan, Dlala, Qatar Islamic Bank, Mannai Corporation, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Qatar Insurance, Beema, Vodafone Qatar and Gulf Warehousing.Nevertheless, Qatari German Medical Devices, Baladna, Al Khaleej Takaful, Doha Insurance and Qatar Electricity and Water were among the shakers in the main market.The Gulf institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR23.11mn compared to QR3.51mn on April 2.The domestic institutions’ net profit booking declined noticeably to QR2.54mn against QR13.02mn the previous day.The Arab institutions’ net selling weakened marginally to QR1.01mn compared to QR2.3mn on Monday.However, the local retail investors’ net selling grew substantially to QR13.67mn against QR3.15mn on April 2.The Arab individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR10.53mn compared with net buyers of QR0.29mn the previous day.The Gulf individual investors’ net profit booking rose perceptibly to QR7.69mn against QR5.48mn on Monday.The foreign retail investors turned net sellers to the tune of QR2.77mn compared with net buyers of QR1.82mn on April 2.The foreign institutions’ net buying eased marginally to QR17.11mn against QR18.33mn the previous day.In the main market, trade volumes jumped 19% to 163.44mn shares and value by 16% to QR456.57mn, whereas deals were down 1% to 15,069.

Demand gained momentum in Qatar's non-energy private sector, which led to faster growth of overall activity, a boost to employment and a fortification of firms' expectations for the next 12 months, according to the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).The latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey data from the QFC for March showed the index at an eight-month high, indicating a further strengthening in business conditions as it saw fastest rise in new business since July 2022.The headline PMI is a composite single-figure indicator of non-energy private sector performance. It is derived from indicators for new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times and stocks of purchases.The PMI rose for the fourth time in five months to 53.8 in March, from 51.9 in February. The latest figure was still above the long-run trend of 52.2."Qatar's non-energy private sector accelerated at the end of the first quarter, with sharper increases in output and new business. Both sub-indices were tracking above their long-run trend levels over six years of data collection. The headline PMI was at an eight-month high, also boosted by the employment component," said QFC Authority chief executive officer Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida.The Qatar PMI indices are compiled from survey responses from a panel of around 450 private sector companies. The panel covers the manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail, and services sectors, and reflects the structure of the non-energy economy according to official national accounts data.The boost to the headline PMI was faster growth in output and new business, which both increased at rates stronger than their long-run averages following renewed uplifts in January. Firms reported new customers, tourism, investments and successful marketing. The wholesale and retail and services sectors registered the strongest growth rates for activity and new orders.Highlighting that the 12-month outlook for the non-energy private sector remained "strongly positive", it said sector wise, confidence was strongest among service providers, followed by manufacturers during the review period."Looking forward, the future output index eased from February's 41-month high of 82.7 but has averaged 77 over the first quarter as a whole, the strongest quarterly outlook since the third quarter of 2019," al-Jaida said.The March data indicated a further increase in average wages and salaries, although the staff costs index eased from February's 17-month high. The employment index, tracking the overall level of staffing, rose to an eight-month high, signalling a boost to workforce numbers.Overall cost pressures eased further since the start of the year and were modest, reflecting only a fractional rise in purchase prices. Meanwhile, firms cut charges for goods and services for the second time in three months, albeit marginally.Companies reduced their levels of outstanding business for the eighth month running in March, despite the faster rise in new work. This reflected the rise in staffing but also suggested firms had made productivity improvements.The financial services sector in Qatar continued to expand at a marked rate in March as the volume of new business increased sharply and for the thirty-fourth consecutive month.Overall financial services activity increased for the twenty-first successive month, and at a rapid pace, while expectations eased further from January's recent peak but remained elevated.“The financial services sector continued to be a key spur to overall growth in March, with the rates of expansion in activity and new business remaining stronger than the all-sector trends, and the financial services business activity index reaching 60.5,” according to al-Jaida.New business grew for the thirty-fourth consecutive month in March, and the rate of expansion remained strong despite easing to a two-month low. Employment was fractionally lower than in February.The March data indicated another strong increase in charges levied by financial services firms, albeit one down on February's record rate of inflation. Input costs were again little changed over the month.

The FIFA World Cup has given a strong force multiplier to Qatar's real economy during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2022, triggered by a robust double-digit growth in the hospitality, transportation and trade sectors, according to the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).Qatar reported an 8% real (inflation adjusted) gross domestic product or GDP growth on an annualised basis during Q4-2022, as the non-hydrocarbons expanded faster than the hydrocarbons sector.The fourth quarter featured Qatar's successful football extravaganza that not only saw record more than 1mn visitors, but also gave a fillip to the tourism and allied sectors.The mining and quarrying sector, under which hydrocarbons fall, grew 4.8% year-on-year and the non-mining and quarrying sector rose faster at 9.9% to place the overall real GDP at QR179.99bn. The agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors soared 5.6% on an annualised basis in Q4-2022.On a quarterly basis, the country’s real GDP gained 2.7% during Q4-2022 with the non-mining and quarrying sector growing 4.4%, even as mining and quarrying sector was down 0.3%.Within non-hydrocarbons, the accommodation and food service segment is estimated to have expanded 64.8% year-on-year in Q4-2022, followed by transport and storage by 25.4%, wholesale and retail trade by 16.1%, information and communication by (11.9%), finance and insurance by 8.5%, manufacturing by 7.1%, utilities by 6.1%, construction by 4.3% and real estate by 4%.On a quarterly basis, the accommodation and food service sector surged 60.6%, wholesale and retail trade (12.4%), finance and insurance (11.6%), transport and storage (6.8%), information and communication (2.2%), construction (1.5%) and real estate (0.9%) in the review period.Nevertheless, the utilities sector witnessed a 21.3% contraction and manufacturing by 0.5% in February 2023.On a nominal basis (at current prices), Qatar's GDP is estimated to have soared 26.2% year-on-year but fell 4% quarter-on-quarter at the end of Q4-2022.The mining and quarrying sector saw a healthy 43.4% surge on an annualised basis while it tanked 14.5% on a monthly basis this February.The non-hydrocarbons sector is estimated to have growth 16.4% and 5.1% year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter respectively in the review period.Within non-hydrocarbons (in nominal terms), there was a 56.8% surge in accommodation and food service, 31.2% in finance and insurance, 24.8% in manufacturing, 24.7% in transport and storage, 17.9% in real estate, 16.9% in wholesale and retail trade, 12.7% in utilities, 11.1% in information and communication and 8.8% in construction in the review period.On a quarterly basis in nominal terms, the accommodation and food services segment saw a 59% surge, finance and insurance (40%), wholesale and retail trade (13.1%), real estate (4.9%), information and communication (3.7%) and construction (1.4%) in February 2023.However, the utilities segment tanked 16.3%, manufacturing by 6.5% and transport and storage by 0.8% in nominal terms on a quarterly basis this February.The import duties, on real terms, are estimated to have risen 20.1% and 2.5% year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter respectively at the end of fourth quarter 2022. On nominal terms, they reported a 22.6% and 3.2% jump respectively in the review period.

Hamad Port registered the highest ever volume of breakbulk handled in March 2023; while cargo and livestock throughput at Qatar's three major ports zoomed 98% and 451% year-on-year, according to the official figures.The three ports - Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais - displayed robust performance in terms of ship arrivals and throughput both on yearly and monthly basis respectively in the review period as well as in the first three months of this year, according to figures released by Mwani Qatar.The number of ships calling on Qatar's three ports stood at 231 this March, which was 6.94% and 11.59% higher year-on-year and month-on-month, respectively.Hamad Port, which offers opportunities to create cargo movement towards the upper Gulf, supporting countries such as Kuwait and Iraq and south towards Oman – saw as many as 135 vessels call on the port in the review period.As many as 664 ships had called on three ports in the first three months of this year, recording a 1.07% on an annualised basis.The general cargo handled through the three ports was 297,009 tonnes in March 2023, which showed 98.64% and 43.44% gains on yearly and monthly basis respectively in the review period.Hamad Port – whose multi-use terminal is designed to serve the supply chains for the RORO (vehicles), grains and livestock – handled 291,427 freight tonnes of breakbulk in March this year."The volume of breakbulk is the highest ever handled in Hamad Port," QTerminals said in a tweet.On a cumulative basis, the general cargo movement through the three ports shot up 29.5% year-on-year to total 617,641 tonnes during January-March 2023.The three ports handled 53,193 livestock heads in March 2023, which zoomed 451% on a yearly basis but was down 6.14% month-on-month. The three ports together handled 151,907 livestock in the first three months of this year, registering a 161.6% increase on an annualised basis.The three ports handled 7,007 RORO in March 2023, which registered a 15.61% and 23.69% jump year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. Hamad Port alone handled 6,964 units in March 2023.The three ports together handled as many as 18,380 vehicles during January-March2023, reporting a 9.5% expansion year-on-year.The container handling through three ports stood at 114,079 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), which fell 8.23% and 1.87% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in March 2023.Hamad Port, which is the largest eco-friendly project in the region and internationally recognised as one of the largest green ports in the world, saw 114,262 TEUs of containers handled in the review period.The container handling through the three ports stood at 341,955 TEUs during January-March 2023, which showed a 4.06% contraction on an annualised basis.The container terminals have been designed to address the increasing trade volume, enhancing ease of doing business as well as supporting the achievement of economic diversification, which is one of the most important goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030.The building materials traffic through the three ports stood at 50,969 tonnes in March 2023, which tanked 21.63% year-on-year but shot up 77.22% month-on-month in the review period.A total of 134,637 tonnes of building materials had been handled by these ports in January-February 2023, thus registering 16.68% shrinkage on a yearly basis.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Sunday plunged 120 points and its key index settled below 10,100 levels, mainly dragged by the consumer goods, banks and transport sectors.The foreign institutions were seen increasingly into net selling as the 20-stock Qatar Index tanked 1.17% to 10,092.64 points, although Gulf markets largely remained in the black as the US inflation data fueled hopes of an end to rate hike.The market, which was skewed towards shakers, had touched an intraday high of 10,292 points.The Gulf individuals were increasingly bearish in the main market, whose year-to-date losses increased to 5.51%.More than 53% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR6.93bn or 1.17% to QR585.56bn, mainly on account of small and microcap segments.The Gulf institutions turned net profit takers in the main market, which saw a total of 0.01mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.08mn changed hands across six deals.The foreign retail investors were net sellers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Islamic index was seen declining faster than then other indices in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index shed 1.17%, All Share Index by 1.28% and Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 1.02% in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline.The consumer goods and services sector index plummeted 2.3%, banks and financial services (1.77%), transport (1.35%), industrials (0.68%) and real estate (0.6%); while telecom and insurance gained 1.24% and 1.07% respectively.Major losers in the main market included Zad Holding, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Masraf Al Rayan, Vodafone Qatar, Gulf Warehousing, QNB, Qatar Electricity and Water, Industries Qatar, Estithmar Holding, Barwa and Nakilat.Nevertheless, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Qatar Insurance, Ooredoo, United Development Company, Qatari German Medical Devices and Lesha Bank were among the gainers in the main market.The foreign institutions’ net selling increased considerably to QR37.03mn compared to QR20.5mn on March 30.The Gulf individual investors’ net selling rose perceptibly to QR1.88mn against QR1.31mn the previous trading day.The Gulf institutions turned net profit takers to the tune of QR1.57mn compared with net buyers of QR3.4mn last Thursday.The foreign retail investors were net sellers to extent of QR0.08mn against net buyers of QR5.12mn on March 30.The domestic institutions’ net buying declined noticeably to QR16.1mn compared to QR24.26mn the previous trading day.However, the local retail investors’ net buying strengthened substantially to QR25.8mn against QR9.37mn last Thursday.The Arab individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.59mn compared with net sellers of QR4.62mn on March 30.The Arab institutions’ net profit booking shrank drastically to QR2.95mn against QR15.74mn the previous trading day.In the main market, trade volumes fell 27% to 131.36mn shares, value by 33% to QR360.92mn and deals by 45% to 11,141.

Qatar's producers' price index (PPI), which captures the price pressure felt by the producers of goods and services, shrank 7.32% year-on-year in February 2023, according to official estimates.The decline in the country's PPI on an annualised basis has been on account of the hydrocarbons and certain manufacturing businesses such as chemicals and basic metals, according to figures released by the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).Qatar's PPI was seen dropping 3.42% on a monthly basis this February.The PSA had released a new PPI series in late 2015. With a base of 2013, it draws on an updated sampling frame and new weights. The previous sampling frame dates from 2006, when the Qatari economy was much smaller than today and the range of products made domestically much narrower.The mining PPI, which carries the maximum weight of 82.46%, reported a 5.47% shrinkage year-on-year in February 2023 as the average selling price of crude petroleum and natural gas was seen plummeting 5.47% and other mining and quarrying by 2.42%.The mining PPI decreased 3.6% month-on-month this February as the average selling price of crude petroleum and natural gas declined 3.6%, even as that of stone, sand, and clay was up 0.02%.The manufacturing sector PPI, which has a weight of 15.85% in the basket, tanked 17.15% on a yearly basis in February 2023 due to a 25.19% plunge in the average price of chemicals and chemical-related products, 11.93% in basic metals and 1.07% in refined petroleum products.Nevertheless, there was a 13.2% increase in the printing and reproduction of recorded media, 6.1% in food products, 2.2% in rubber and plastics products, 1.31% in beverages, and 0.74% in cement and other non-metallic mineral products.The manufacturing PPI plunged 3.23% month-on-month year in February on account of a 5.35% slump in the average price of basic metals, 5.28% in refined petroleum products, 3% in chemicals and chemical-related products, and 2.25% in rubber and plastics products.However, there was a marginal 0.45% increase in the average price of cement and other non-metallic mineral products, 0.34% in beverages, and 0.14% in food products.The index of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply reported a 5.15% and 3.71% increase on a yearly and monthly basis respectively this February.The index of water supply was seen expanding 6.84% and 7.27% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in February 2023.