Category: Market

European stocks slipped on Monday as the initial euphoria over strong US jobs data last week faded and rate-sensitive sectors such as real estate and utilities came under pressure from higher bond yields.

The STOXX 600 index (.STOXX), opens new tab was down 0.2 percent, with real estate (.SX86P), opens new tab and utilities (.SX6P), opens new tab sectors losing 1.1 percent and 0.5 percent.

Among stocks, Richemont (CFR.S), opens new tab rose 1.3 percent.

Shares of Heidelberg Materials (HEIG.DE), opens new tab climbed 5.6 percent following a report that the Adani Group is in talks to buy the German company’s Indian cement operations a deal that could be worth about USD 1.2 billion.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) closed Monday’s trading session with an increase of 39.33 points, or 0.38 percent, reaching a level of 10,451.34 points.

During the session, 187,844,298 shares were traded, amounting to a value of QAR 440,919,990.432, resulting from the execution of 16,354 transactions across all sectors.

In today’s trading, shares of 42 companies rose and shares of 7 other companies fell, while shares of two companies maintained their previous closing prices.

The market capitalization amounted to QAR 611,642,232,106.900, compared to QAR 608,989,493,204.290 in the previous session.

Source: Qatar News Agency

European stocks ended with small gains Monday.

The Stoxx 600 index closed 0.1 percent higher, with the banking sector leading the sectoral gains, but the real estate sector fell 1.4 percent and the utilities sector fell 0.5 percent.

German stocks fell 0.1 percent after factory orders fell more than expected in August.

The German Economy Ministry separately said that the European Union’s largest economy is expected to shrink by 0.2 percent in 2024, for the second year in a row.

Among individual stocks, Orsted jumped 6 percent after Equinor bought a stake worth about $2.5 billion in the Danish wind energy company, and Equinor’s shares fell 3.4 percent.

Source: Qatar News Agency

South Korea’s foreign reserves increased for the third straight month in September on the back of the increased value of non-US dollar assets and investment gains, central bank data showed Monday.

The country’s foreign reserves had come to US$419.97 billion as of end-September, up $4.05 billion from the previous month, Sputh Korea’s (Yonhap) news agency reported citing data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).

The central bank attributed the increase to a rise in the converted value of non-dollar assets amid the weak greenback and investment gains.

The dollar index that gauges the greenback’s value against major peers fell 0.9 percent last month, boosting the converted value of non-dollar assets, the central bank said.

Foreign reserves consist of securities and deposits denominated in overseas currencies, International Monetary Fund reserve positions, special drawing rights and gold bullion.

Foreign securities, such as US Treasuries, had been valued at $373.3 billion as of end-September, up $3.86 billion from a
month earlier. They accounted for 88.9 percent of foreign reserves, the data showed.

The value of deposits stood at $22.28 billion at the end of September, up $240 million over the cited period.

South Korea ranked as the world’s ninth-largest holder of foreign reserves at the end of August, the BOK said.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: October 06 – Visit Qatar hosted a two-day workshop for local stakeholders from the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.

The event aimed to equip participants with essential tools and insights to effectively position Qatar as a premier destination for business events and to enhance their bidding strategies for international gatherings as well as educate international MICE buyers on the varied assets of Qatar for events.

An insights workshop gathered more than stakeholders from the hospitality sector, including Destination Management Companies (DMCs), hotels and special event venues to explore collaborative approaches for attracting business events to Qatar. Attendees gained valuable insights into the key characteristics of the Chinese, Indian, and Russian MICE markets and guidance to support a successful business event bid and a compelling pitch.

The full-day program on the 23rd for international MICE buyers included panel discussions featuring key figures from Qatar’s M
ICE ecosystem, as well as one-on-one meetings to explore future business opportunities.

Visit Qatar’s strategy underscores MICE as a priority pillar in driving growth within the country’s tourism sector. By increasing the number business events, Qatar aims to strengthen its position as a leading global hub for the MICE industry. With well-developed infrastructure, a business-friendly environment, and state-of-the-art venues, Qatar has established itself as a premier destination, renowned for its capacity to host world class events.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Qatar Chamber (QC) stressed the significance of Qatar’s strategic location in enhancing its status as a global trade hub, making it one of the fastest-growing markets globally in logistics.

This came in the speech of Qatar Chamber board member and Chairman of Services Committee and the Qatar Association for Freight Forwarding and Logistics (QAFL) Eng. Ali bin Abdullatif Al Mesned addressing a panel on the transport and logistics sector, during the 2nd edition of the Gulf-Azerbaijani Economic Forum, held in Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The forum featured discussions on cooperation, potential challenges to hinder economic and investment growth, renewable and clean energy, water and electricity, transportation and logistics challenges and opportunities, as well as strategic partnerships between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Azerbaijan in agriculture, food security, and food industries.

Eng. Ali bin Abdullatif Al Mesned said that the State of Qatar’s strategic location makes it in the center of E
ast and West between three continents, namely Africa, Asia, and Europe, thus, enhancing the fact that the country is home to the world’s leading air cargo company (Qatar Airways Cargo), the best airline (Qatar Airways), the second-best airport (Hamad International Airport), and the eighth-largest port (Hamad Port) globally.

The QC board member added that the country’s investment in this sector is reflected in the volume of the transportation market, which reached USD 9.9 billion, positioning the country as the second-best in the region in terms of logistics efficiency.

He also indicated that according to the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index 2023, Qatar ranked 14th globally in logistics efficiency, 19th in infrastructure quality, and 36th in the overall index, which includes 139 countries, outperforming 103 nations worldwide.

Al Mesned explained that these achievements align with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country’s goal of diversifying its economy, adding that these developments have co
ntributed to the state’s success in becoming a leading global center for investment and business, as well as a hub for global trade and logistics.

The QC board member pointed out that the State of Qatar has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets in the world in the logistics sector, especially following the remarkable success in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

He further affirmed QC’s commitment to enhancing supply chains and logistic services, in addition to encouraging investors to invest in this vital sector.

Due to its relentless efforts in this regard, QC recently was elected as a member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), the worlds largest organization for freight forwarders, during the FIATA World Conference held in Brussels, Al Mesned added.

He noted that the chamber organizes and participates in events related to logistics in order to enhance its growth and encourage business owners to benefit from Qatar’s advanced infrastructure, advanced lo
gistic systems, and to invest in logistic projects.

The QC board member pointed out that the international transportation and logistics sector is one of the most vital arteries of the global economy and forms the backbone of international trade, which means that the challenges and issues facing this sector will not only have a significant impact on international trade but also on the global economy in all its facets.

Al Mesned highlighted that the global logistics market amounted to USD 8.96 trillion in 2023 and is expected to reach around USD 21.91 trillion by 2033, indicating a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.35 percent from 2024 to 2033.

The QC board member said that this significant increase in the market is attributed to the expansion of e-commerce and growing trade agreements, along with technological innovations such as artificial intelligence and data analytics aimed at improving supply chain efficiency and inventory management.

He added that there has been notable progress in the Internet
of Things (IoT) technology and energy efficiency improvements in warehouses, causing market growth. Al Mesned said that efforts are underway to enhance last-mile delivery using drones and autonomous vehicles technologies that are attracting the interest of many major companies.

The QC board member said that transportation by land holds the largest share in the logistics services market, followed by maritime and air transport, due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to meet fast delivery needs. He added that the Asia-Pacific region has the largest market share, followed by Europe and North America, due to the rapid growth in e-commerce and manufacturing in these areas.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The volume of real estate trading in sales contracts registered with the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice during September amounted to QR 1,419,242,383.

Data from the analytical real estate bulletin issued by the Ministry of Justice showed that 303 real estate deals were registered during the month, as the number of properties sold index recorded an increase of 22 percent compared to August, while the real estate trading value index recorded an increase of 72 percent, and the traded area index recorded an increase of 194 percent.

The municipalities of Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Doha, and Al Dhaayen topped the most active transactions in terms of financial value during September according to the real estate market index, followed by the municipalities of Umm Salal, Al Khor and Al Thakhira, Al Shamal and Al Sheehaniya in terms of deal volumes.

The real estate market index for September revealed that the financial value of transactions in Al Rayyan Municipality amounted to (QR 3
36,778,641), and (QR 332,704,875), in Al Wakrah Municipality, while the financial value of transactions in Doha Municipality amounted to (QR 332,427,945), and (QR 278,053,746) in Al Dhaayen Municipality.

Umm Salal Municipality recorded transactions worth (QR 91,832,969), Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality recorded transactions worth (QR 33,212,253), while Al Shamal Municipality reached (QR 14,010,555), and Al Sheehaniya Municipality recorded transactions worth (QR 221,390).

In terms of the traded areas index, the indicators showed that Al Wakra, Al Rayyan, and Doha Municipalities recorded the most active municipalities for the traded real estate areas during September, with a rate of (59 percent) for Al Wakrah Municipality, followed by Al Rayyan Municipality with a rate of (14 percent), then Doha Municipality with a rate of (11 percent), while Al Dhaayen Municipality recorded transactions worth (7 percent), Umm Salal Municipality with transactions worth (6 percent), then Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipali
ty with transactions worth (2 percent), while Al Shamal Municipality recorded (1 percent) of the total traded areas.

In terms of the number of real estate transactions (sold properties), trading indicators showed that the most active municipalities during September were Doha Municipality with a rate of (28 percent), followed by Al Rayyan Municipality with a rate of (24 percent), then Al Dhaayen Municipality with a rate of (15 percent), while Al Wakrah and Umm Salal Municipalities recorded transactions with a rate of (11 percent) each, Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality recorded (6 percent) and finally Al Shamal Municipality (4 percent) of the total real estate transactions.

The average price per square foot for September ranged between (QR 411 – 709) in Doha, (QR 227 – 420) in Al Wakrah, (QR 377 – 417) in Al Rayyan, (QR 223 – 441) in Umm Salal, (QR 371 – 713) in Al Dhaayen, (QR 216 – 348) in Al Khor and Al Dhakira, (QR 143 – 225) in Al Shamal, and (QR 208) in Al Shahaniya.

The trading volume revealed the
highest value of (10) properties sold for September, of which Al Dhaayen Municipality had 5 properties, Al Rayyan Municipality had 4, and Al Wakrah Municipality had one property.

Regarding the volume of mortgage transactions during September, the number of mortgage transactions that took place during the month amounted to (72) transactions, with a total value of QR 2,594,047,691.

Doha Municipality recorded the highest number of mortgage transactions with (32) transactions, equivalent to (44.4 percent) of the total number of mortgaged properties, followed by Al Rayyan Municipality with (22) transactions, equivalent to (30.6 percent) of the total number of mortgaged properties, then Al Dhaayen Municipality with (7) transactions, equivalent to (9.7 percent) of the total mortgaged properties, then Al Wakrah with (9) transactions, equivalent to (10.5 percent), Umm Salal Municipality with (6) transactions, equivalent to (8.3 percent), Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality with (3) transactions, equivalent to (4.2
percent), and Al Wakrah Municipality with two transactions, equivalent to (2.8 percent).

Regarding the value of mortgages, Doha Municipality came in first with a value of QR 1,67,857,254, while Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality recorded the lowest value, amounting to QR 9,815,564.

Looking at the mortgage movement index by studying the ratio of the number of mortgaged properties to the ratio of their financial value, the ratio of the number of mortgaged properties is greater than the ratio of mortgage transaction amounts, in all municipalities that witnessed mortgage transactions except for Doha and Al Rayyan Municipalities, where the mortgage transaction amounts achieved higher ratios compared to the average number of mortgage transactions.

Regarding the movement and volume of mortgage transactions that took place during the month, Doha Municipality recorded 5 of the top 10 mortgaged properties, while Al Rayyan Municipality recorded 4 mortgaged properties, and Umm Salal Municipality recorded one propert
y. The volume of mortgage transactions for the top (10) properties amounted to 92 percent of the total value of all mortgage transactions that took place during September.

The movement of residential units trading during September recorded (97) residential unit deals with a total value of QR 174,844,666.

Real estate trading data during September 2024 showed that the real estate sector continues its steady and strong growth in various investment and commercial fields, thus continuing the active trading movement witnessed by the sector during the recent period, especially with the issuance of new laws and decisions related to real estate brokerage, real estate registration, and documentation, ownership, and usufruct, in addition to laws attracting local and foreign capital.

This data also confirms the strength and solidity of the foundations of the Qatari economy and the continued growth of the real estate sector as one of its main components.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: HE Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Visit Qatar Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji emphasised the tourism sector as a pivotal component in the countrys efforts towards economic diversification, which is crucial for driving sustainable economic growth.

In remarks during an event organized by Qatar Tourism today to showcase the tourism roadmap, His Excellency stated that Qatar Tourism adopts a modern vision and a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the competitive capabilities of the tourism sector. This includes encouraging investment in essential infrastructure and creating a conducive environment to ensure the sector’s prosperity while supporting sustainable development and diversifying national economic resources. These efforts align with Qatar National Vision 2030 and its four pillars.

His Excellency continued that Qatar Tourism is committed to facilitating opportunities for the private sector and overcome any challenges that may hinder its role in stimulating tourism activity. This ap
proach enables the sector to contribute significantly to national ambitions for developing tourism and establishing Qatar as a leading global tourist destination.

This was followed by opening remarks from CEO of Visit Qatar Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi who highlighted the vital role played by Visit Qatar in marketing the destination and promoting entertainment and business events, and the efforts made in developing tourist attractions and diversifying Qatars events calendar, with the aim of strengthening Qatars position as a world-leading tourist destination.

Eng. Al Mawlawi announced that Visit Qatar was recently launched as the main marketing and promotional arm of Qatar Tourism. As part of the mandate, the aim is to strengthen Qatar’s position as a premier, family-friendly, and safe tourist destination. The ultimate goal is to promote and increase international visitor demand in Qatar by cultivating its rich culture, diverse offerings and caliber of events. The multi-faceted approach which includes laun
ching global campaigns, hosting world-class events, and strategic market focus will help us achieve our 2030 tourism objectives.” During the event, Visit Qatar showcased its latest global campaign, Surprise Yourself, which targets families, couples, and groups of friends, inviting them to discover unexpected ways to connect and create lasting memories. The campaign sets Qatar apart by showcasing the country’s unique experiences and the authentic emotions these moments inspire, whether it’s in the tropical charm of Banana Island or the cultural vibrancy of Souq Waqif. The campaign was rolled out across 15 international markets through a variety of platforms, including TV, social media, digital channels, press materials, and out-of-home advertising.

In addition, a new version of Visit Qatars ongoing stopover campaign, set to launch in mid-October, was showcased. The campaign aims to spotlight some of Qatar’s most iconic locations and remarkable experiences that can be enjoyed in just 24 hours. A separate GCC c
ampaign is also due to launch in mid-October, which invites neighbours from the region to experience the best of what Qatar has to offer.

During her speech, Sheikha Hessa Al-Thani, from the Marketing Planning Department, explained how the campaigns at Visit Qatar are strategically crafted to help showcase Qatars rich cultural offering and hospitality to large diverse audiences. As part of the long-term strategy to position Qatar as a leading, world-class tourist destination, focused on creating innovative and curated travel experiences for visitors as showcased in the campaigns and digital experiences. In addition to highlighting the unique blends of heritage and modernity that Qatar embodies, showcasing the advancements in infrastructure and hospitality services characterized by excellence and novelty. As part of the long-term strategy to establish Qatar as a leading tourist destination, great emphasis is placed on developing exceptional and personalized travel experiences for visitors. Consequently, the Vi
sit Qatar website and mobile app prioritise user interests, allowing them to design their travel itineraries to Qatar.

Looking ahead, Visit Qatar is gearing up for an exciting winter season, featuring major international sports and cultural events. Highlights include the return of Formula One, vibrant activities at Sealine, and concerts by leading regional and international artists. Returning favorites such as the prestigious Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition and the highly anticipated Qatar International Food Festival will also make a comeback. 2025 will also see the return of mega international events, including the Web Summit and the Arab Cup. With a strong track record of hosting major events, from exhibitions and festivals to forums and sporting tournaments, Qatar is steadily establishing itself as a destination for unforgettable experiences. The Qatar Calendar, which was recently revamped, serves as a comprehensive guide for residents and visitors to navigate events across the country, offering det
ailed information on event dates, timings, and locations. As a central hub for event listings, it provides a convenient way to discover what’s happening nationwide. Events receive extensive promotion through the Visit Qatar website, mobile app, social media channels, physical collateral, press releases, and more. The calendar is the result of Visit Qatar’s collaboration with stakeholders, delivering a thorough overview of all events taking place across the country each month. Engineer. Ahmed Hamad Al Bin Ali, from the Festivals and Events Department speech was centered around Visit Qatar’s aim to boost overall tourism, increasing regional and international visitors, by hosting, exhibitions, festivals, forums, sports tournaments, cultural events, concerts and more. Throughout the year, Qatar promises a vibrant and diverse calendar of events that cater to all ages and interests. To further demonstrate the extent of the calendar, more than 600 events have been recorded to date. Whether it’s the lively summer f
estivals, the rich cultural celebrations during Eid and Ramadan, or seasonal events throughout the year, there’s always something exciting happening in Qatar to suit every taste and occasion. In her remarks, Dr. Buthaina Al Janahi from the PR and Communications Department expressed her gratitude to the media and stakeholders for their vital role in promoting the tourism sector in Qatar and enhancing its presence on the global tourism map. She emphasized that the primary goal of strengthening the public relations and communication strategy by providing an authentic representation of the national identity through widespread dissemination of messages and highlighting the geographical uniqueness of Qatar. This includes its rich cultural heritage as well as its diverse tourism offerings, which are always characterized by quality, exceptionalism, and innovation. She reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to tourism in collaboration with partners at the local, regional, and global levels, in addition to international media p
artnerships, aiming to expand the global reach of their messages and promote the country’s rich cultural heritage alongside its advanced hospitality infrastructure. Wrapping up the event, Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber emphasised the importance of continuously developing and enhancing the tourism sector, considering it one of the most vital and sustainable industries that is consistently influenced by developments and events. Qatar Tourism strives to provide a unique experience for visitors at every stage of their journey, from the moment they arrive until their return to their home countries. Committing to enhancing services and adopting a motto of excellence in service. He noted that preparations are underway for the Michelin Guide 2025 launching at the end of this year. As well as the second edition of the “Qatar Tourism Award” in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization, to honor significant contributions and outstanding efforts in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Omar concluded, that the developm
ent of the tourism sector is considered one of the key elements that contributes to strengthening the national economy and achieving sustainable development. Qatar Tourism vows to continue its efforts in developing this sector, achieve its ambitious goals and fulfill its purpose.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Gold prices eased on Monday as bets firmed for a smaller US rate cut in November after strong jobs data.

Spot gold slipped 0.2% to $2,647.49 per ounce. US gold futures were unchanged at $2,667.10.

The stronger-than-expected September jobs report, released on Friday, poured cold water on expectations of a large Fed rate cut next month, boosting the dollar.

This week, market participants will focus on minutes of the Fed’s last policy meeting, and the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) data. A slew of US central bank officials are also speaking this week.

Spot silver fell 0.2% to $32.11, platinum lost 0.4% to $983.67 and palladium rose 0.6% to $1,017.63.

Source: Qatar News Agency

China’s foreign exchange reserves totaled $3.3164 trillion at the end of September, up by $28.2 billion, or 0.86%, compared to the end of August.

China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange said on Monday that the US dollar index declined, and global financial asset prices generally increased last month, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The combined effects of currency translation and asset price changes led to the increase in China’s foreign exchange reserves in September, the administration added.

Source: Qatar News Agency