Doha: Qatar Exchange was down 29.58 points or 0.35 percent to 8,329.08 points yesterday from the previous closing of 8,358.66 points. Among the top losers were Qatar National Bank whose share dropped 0.31 percent to QR129.70, Industries Qatar lost 0.59 percent to QR151, Qatar Insurance fell 0.75 percent to QR66.50 and Qatar Navigation was down 0.59 percent to QR50.50.
The banking and financial sector dropped 5.71 points, the insurance sector lost 6.94 points, the industrial sector was down 10.59 points and the services sector fell 2.44 points.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s bourse dropped yesterday, edging towards last week’s four-month low on fears of fresh protests and intensifying conflict between the judiciary and government bodies, while Gulf bourses were mixed. Cairo’s benchmark index fell for a third session in the last four, dropping 1.4 percent.
All but six shares fell on the main benchmark. Commercial International Bank and Orascom Construction dropped 1.2 and 0.8 percent respectively.
In Saudi Arabia, the index rose 0.4 percent to a two-week high, gaining for a fourth straight session since Tuesday’s 10-month low as worries over the king’s health eased. Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic) added 0.3 percent, Saudi Kayan Petrochemical climbed 0.8 percent and Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical advanced 0.6 percent. The banking index slipped 0.2 percent. Al Rajhi Bank added 0.4 percent, while Samba Financial Group and Bank Aljazira fell 1.1 and 1.2 percent respectively.
Elsewhere, Kuwait’s bourse rallied in late trade, with the index gaining 0.2 percent to close at a seven-week high. Saturday’s parliamentary elections boosted sentiment. Markets in the United Arab Emirates were closed for a public holiday.
QNA/Reuters
