Qatar Business

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s stock market advanced this week as investors increased exposure to banking shares, supported by confidence in the country’s long-term economic growth prospects, an analyst said. Market sentiment remained relatively positive despite ongoing regional uncertainty, with strong energy revenues, infrastructure spending, and stable corporate fundamentals continuing to support investor appetite on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE). QSE Index recorded moderate gains during the trading week, supported by buying activity in the banking, telecommunications, and industrial sectors. Market participants said investor confidence remained relatively firm despite ongoing regional geopolitical developments and cautious global market conditions. Analysts noted that Qatar’s strong fiscal position, supported by energy revenues and government spending on infrastructure and economic diversification projects, continued to underpin market stability. “The Qatari market has shown resilience compared to several regional peers this week,” financial analyst Omar N, told The Peninsula. “Investors remain encouraged by strong corporate fundamentals, particularly within the banking and energy-linked sectors.” According to market observers, banking stocks continued to attract institutional investors due to stable earnings expectations, healthy liquidity conditions, and expectations of continued credit growth in the domestic economy. “Qatar’s banking sector remains one of the market’s strongest pillars,” Omar said. “The sector continues to benefit from robust capitalisation levels, stable government-related deposits, and relatively healthy loan demand from both public and private sectors.” Industrial and petrochemical shares also saw increased investor interest during the week as global energy prices remained relatively supported amid supply concerns linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Omar said, “Energy market stability is indirectly supporting sentiment on the Qatar Stock Exchange. Investors view Qatar as relatively well-positioned because of its strong LNG exports and fiscal buffers.” Read Also Hotels in Qatar see Eid staycation surge as holiday drives hospitality boom Holiday spending boosts retail and wholesale sectors Doha’s iconic venues bustle with Eid festivities Telecommunications and real estate stocks also contributed to market gains, with traders pointing to improving investor appetite for defensive and dividend-paying shares. Market activity remained relatively balanced, with retail investors showing selective participation while institutional investors continued focusing on fundamentally strong companies with stable earnings visibility. Analysts said foreign investor participation remained cautious but stable, with global investors continuing to monitor regional geopolitical developments, US interest rate expectations, and broader emerging market trends. “While there is still caution in the market due to external uncertainties, Qatar continues to be viewed as one of the more stable investment destinations in the region,” Omar said. Analysts also highlighted that expectations surrounding Qatar’s long-term economic diversification plans and continued government investment programs are helping maintain investor confidence despite periodic market volatility. Omar further added, “The market is benefiting from strong macroeconomic fundamentals and relatively healthy corporate earnings. Investors are increasingly focusing on long-term growth opportunities rather than short-term geopolitical concerns.” Looking ahead, analysts expect investor sentiment to remain cautiously optimistic in the coming weeks, with attention likely to focus on global oil price movements, regional developments, and upcoming corporate earnings announcements. Experts believe that Qatar’s strong sovereign position, expanding LNG production capacity, and ongoing infrastructure projects are expected to continue supporting the overall outlook for the country’s capital markets throughout this year.

World Business

London: Gold prices rose on Thursday after falling earlier to their lowest level in two months, supported by a weaker US dollar and lower oil prices. Spot gold climbed 0.5% to $4,477.59 an ounce, recovering from its lowest level since late March. US gold futures also gained 0.6% to $4,475.60. The dollar index slipped 0.2%, making gold less expensive for holders of other currencies. The gains came after a report said the United States and Iran were working to extend a ceasefire agreement, easing pressure on global markets. Among other precious metals, silver rose 0.3% to $74.80 an ounce, while platinum fell 0.8% to $1,902.64 and palladium dropped 1.9% to $1,364.10.

Qatar Business

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s industrial and logistics sectors showed mixed performance during the first quarter of 2026, with warehouse rents continuing to rise despite softer maritime activity and broader regional disruptions, according to ValuStrat. The report, citing the latest data from the National Planning Council (NPC), showed that Qatar’s Industrial Production Index (2018=100) reached 107.4 points year-to-date as of January 2026, representing a 6 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. The Mining and Quarrying Index rose 1.4 percent year-on-year during the period, supported by continued activity in the energy sector, while the Manufacturing Index declined 1.7 percent over the same timeframe. Qatar’s trade balance surplus stood at QR13bn in February 2026, marking a 26.4 percent decline compared to the same month last year, reflecting softer external trade conditions amid fluctuating global demand and commodity markets. ValuStrat noted that maritime activity slowed during the quarter, with Qatar Maritime reporting 552 vessel calls across Hamad Port, Doha Port, and Ruwais Port in Q1 2026, down 25.7 percent compared to the previous quarter. Container handling activity also moderated, with an estimated 291,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) processed across the three ports during the first quarter. Despite softer logistics activity, warehouse rental rates continued to show resilience. The monthly median asking rent for ambient warehouses increased 3.6 percent quarter-on-quarter to QR36.9 per square metre, reflecting a 4.4 percent increase year-on-year. Read Also Outbound travel demand surge during Eid Al-Adha Joyful Eid celebrations kick off across Qatar World cup-bound Qatar face Ireland test in Dublin Within the Industrial Area, ambient warehouse rental rates rose 4.4 percent compared to Q4 2025, supported by steady occupier demand and limited supply adjustments. In contrast, cold storage facilities experienced softer leasing conditions. Median monthly rents for cold storage warehouses declined 8.2 percent quarterly to QR39.6 per square metre, while rates within the Industrial Area fell 10 percent compared to the previous quarter. Anum Hasan, Head of Research at ValuStrat, stated that Qatar’s industrial and logistics sectors demonstrated varying performance trends during the quarter. “Industrial and logistics segments presented mixed performance, with warehouse rents increasing quarterly and cold storage rates declining yearly. Maritime activity was impacted, with vessel calls recording a decline amid broader regional disruptions,” Hasan said. She noted that the broader market remained relatively stable despite softer operational activity and cautious leasing sentiment. According to ValuStrat, near-term sentiment across the industrial and logistics property market remains measured as businesses continue monitoring regional geopolitical developments, trade activity, and global economic conditions. However, the consultancy indicated that current market trends appear to reflect cyclical and seasonal factors rather than a structural downturn. “While near-term sentiment remains measured, current indicators suggest a cyclical and seasonal impact rather than a structural shift, with Q2 performance expected to provide greater clarity on the persistence of these trends,” Hasan said. Industry analysts remark that Qatar’s logistics and industrial sectors continue to benefit from long-term infrastructure investments, strategic port connectivity, and its role as a regional trade and energy hub. Experts stressed that the demand for warehousing facilities, particularly ambient storage space, remains supported by retail, e-commerce, food distribution, and industrial supply chain activity, even as businesses adopt a more cautious approach amid evolving regional and global market conditions.