Domestic institutions’ increased net selling on Thursday dragged the Qatar Stock Exchange 84 points, yet its key index stood above 9,300 levels.
Local retail investors’ net buying interests were seen weakening substantially as the 20-stock Qatar Index settled 0.89% lower at 9,310.66 points.
The industrials and real estate counters witnessed higher-than-average selling pressure on the bourse, whose year-to-date losses widened to 10.69%.
Market capitalisation saw about QR4bn or 0.67% erosion to QR545.01bn, mainly owing to mid and small cap segments.
Trade turnover and volumes were on the decline on the market, where the industrials sector alone accounted for more than 58% of the total trading volume.
The Total Return Index shrank 0.89% to 17,899.44 points, Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 1.58% to 2,111.35 points and All Share Index by 0.79% to 2,910.61 points.
The industrials index plunged 2.68%, real estate (1.8%), banks and financial services (0.51%), consumer goods and services (0.39%) and telecom (0.19%); while insurance shot up 2.74% and transport 0.22%.
About 60% of the traded constituents were in the red with major shakers being Industries Qatar, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Aamal Company, Islamic Holding Group, Qamco, Barwa, Mazaya Qatar, United Development Company, Qatar Islamic Bank, Qatar First Bank Alijarah Holding, Dlala, Qatar Oman Investment and Mannai Corporation; whereas Gulf International Services, Ezdan, Doha Bank and Qatar German Company for Medical Devices were among the gainers.
Domestic funds’ net selling increased substantially to QR35.4mn compared to QR12.47mn on July 15.
Foreign individuals’ net profit booking grew noticeably to QR7.39mn against QR1.13mn the previous day.
Local retail investors’ net buying eased significantly to QR3.31mn compared to QR72.53mn on Wednesday.
The Arab institutions turned net sellers to the tune of QR0.3mn against no major exposure on July 15.
However, foreign funds’ net buying increased considerably to QR23.32mn compared to QR2.69mn the previous day.
The Arab individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR9.27mn against net sellers of QR60.42mn on Wednesday.
The Gulf institutions’ net buying strengthened perceptibly to QR4.41mn compared to QR0.21mn on July 15.
The Gulf individuals turned net buyers to the tune of QR2.66mn against net sellers of QR1.49mn the previous day.
Total trade volumes fell 23% to 482.93mn shares, value by 8% to QR648.33mn and transactions by 18% to 10,267.
The consumer goods and services sector reported 45% plunge in trade volume to 41.14mn equities, 35% in value to QR73.98mn and 30% in deals to 1,509.
The real estate sector’s trade volume plummeted 42% to 58.21mn stocks, value by 46% to QR74.77mn and transactions by 10% to 1,786.
The banks and financial services sector saw 32% shrinkage in trade volume to 57.65n shares but on 33% jump in value to QR192.14mn despite 29% lower deals at 2,015.
The industrials sector’s trade volume tanked 19% to 280.29mn equities, value by 27% to QR199.4mn and transactions by 17% to 3,735.
The telecom sector’s trade volume was down 3% to 10.12mn stocks, value by 2% to QR16.22mn and deals by 20% to 384.
However, the insurance sector’s trade volume more than tripled to 24.92mn shares and value more than quadrupled to QR49.94mn on more than doubled transactions to 481.
The transport sector’s trade volume more than tripled to 10.6mn equities and value almost quadrupled to QR41.88mn on 5% rise in deals to 357.
In the debt market, there was no trading of sovereign bonds and treasury bills.
