ع
The Qatar News Agency reported that shares of 11 companies advanced during the session while those of 37 companies declined and five closed unchanged from their previous prices. A total of 165,147,380 shares valued at QR 377,222,372.463 were exchanged through 30,335 transactions across all sectors. The bourse’s overall market capitalization increased to QR 526,955,966,537.420 from QR 526,410,052,871.134 at the close of the previous session.
Qatar News Agency figures show the index had dropped sharply the prior trading day on October 18 when it lost 176.60 points or 2 percent to close at 8,633.57 with only six stocks rising and 43 falling. That session saw 174,255,218 shares traded for a value of QR 320,609,412.590 in 30,400 deals. Five companies held steady in that session as well according to the same official data.
Sector performance proved mixed on October 19 with the transport index leading decliners after a 2.15 percent drop while the banks and financial services sector posted the strongest gain at 0.93 percent an industry compilation indicated. The industrial sector also moved lower and real estate shed 0.77 percent according to bourse data relayed by multiple regional outlets. Consumer goods and services along with insurance and telecommunications posted more modest shifts during the session.
A QNB economic report noted that the index had lost 195.44 points or 2.2 percent the previous week to close at 8,810.17 with market capitalization decreasing by 1.9 percent to QR 535.6 billion. Data compiled by countryeconomy.com placed the year-to-date performance at a loss of 20.08 percent as of October 19 while marking the level as a six-year low. Global foreign institutions maintained a net bearish position in Qatari equities of $54.4 million for the year according to the QNB assessment.
The latest close follows a pattern of volatility that saw the index stand above 9,800 points as recently as early September according to historical records from the same tracking service. Market tracking data from countryeconomy.com showed consecutive sessions in October featuring both gains and losses before the marginal decline on October 19. The performance aligned with mixed results across other GCC bourses on surrounding days.
Qatar News Agency updates confirmed that the October 19 trading reflected continued participation despite the slight index retreat with turnover rising from the prior session. The exchange continues to register daily activity from both domestic and international investors. Officials have not issued additional commentary on the latest figures beyond the standard trading summary.
