Islamic equities were seen outperforming the Qatar Stock Exchange, which on Sunday opened the week on a stronger note albeit at lower levels.
The insurance, industrials and banking counters witnessed higher than average demand as the 20-stock Qatar Index settled 0.08% higher at 9,375.4 points, although it touched a high of 9,390 points intraday.
Domestic funds and the Arab individuals were seen bullish on the bourse, whose year-to-date losses were at 10.07%.
Market capitalisation saw QR46mn or 0.08% increase to QR549bn, mainly owing to microcap segments.
Trade turnover fell amidst higher volumes on the market, where the industrials, consumer goods and banking sectors together accounted for about 85% of the total trading volume.
The Total Return Index was up 0.08% to 18,023.89 points, Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price) by 0.31% to 2,121.95 points and All Share Index by 0.17% to 2,929.62 points.
The insurance index soared 0.66%, industrials (0.55%), banks and financial services (0.24%), real estate (0.09%); while transport declined 1.07%, telecom (0.34%) and consumer goods and services (0.3%).
About 48% of the traded constituents extended gains with major movers being Dlala, Qatari Investors Group, Qatar Oman Investment, Qamco, Alijarah Holding, Commercial Bank, Qatar First Bank, Inma Holding, Salam International Investment, Aamal Company and Gulf International Services.
Nevertheless, Ahlibank Qatar, Milaha, Widam Food, Vodafone Qatar, Gulf Warehousing and Baladna were among the losers.
Domestic funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR15.88mn against net sellers of QR7.25mn on July 23.
The Arab individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR1.07mn compared with net sellers of QR5.9mn last Thursday.
However, foreign funds turned net sellers to the tune of QR9.06mn against net buyers of QR3mn the previous trading day.
The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking grew considerably to QR4.64mn compared to QR1.85mn on July 23.
Foreign individuals’ net selling increased marginally to QR1.02mn against QR0.85mn last Thursday.
The Gulf individuals’ net selling also grew marginally to QR1.02mn compared to QR0.85mn the previous trading day.
Local retail investors were net sellers to the tune of QR0.74mn against net buyers of QR13.75mn on July 23.
The Arab institutions were net profit takers to the tune of QR0.48mn compared with no major exposure last Thursday
Total trade volumes roe 10% to 372.04mn shares, while value fell 7% to QR464.44mn and transactions by 5% to 8,532.
The transport sector’s trade volume soared 84% to 10.22mn equities and value more than doubled to QR32.81mn on 74% jump in deals to 469.
There was 69% surge in the insurance sector’s trade volume to 5.79mn stocks, 92% in value to QR11.65mn and 2% in transactions to 191.
The industrials sector’s trade volume shot up 17% to 135.05mn shares, value by 32% to QR121.83mn and deals by 29% to 2,598.
The banks and financial services sector saw 15% expansion in trade volume to 92.57mn equities but on 24% shrinkage value to QR127.21mn and 21% in transactions to 2,164.
However, the real estate sector’s trade volume plummeted 20% to 31.5mn stocks, value by 49% to QR39.27mn and deals by 37% to 836.
The market witnessed 5% shrinkage in the telecom sector’s trade volume to 6.27mn shares and 22% in value to QR9.51mn but on 4% growth in transactions to 342.
The consumer goods and services sector’s trade volume was down less than 1% to 87.64mn equities, value by 5% to QR122.16mn and deals by 9% to 1,932.
In the debt market, there was no trading of sovereign bonds and treasury bills.
Related Story