Santhosh V. Perumal

The Qatar Stock Exchange on Monday reopened after the Eid al-Fitr holidays, but on a weakened note and its key barometer fell below 10,800 levels, despite strong buying interests from the domestic funds and the local retail investors.

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) Monday said the global slowdown has led to "significant" interest rate "distortion" and that the conventional gauge as gross domestic product (GDP) has proved to be less useful in the crisis time, thus needing more reliable indicator that can better predict the behaviour

Qatar's trade surplus witnessed a robust 19% growth year-on-year in the first quarter (Q1) of this year as the country's economy rebounded, mainly on the back of non-oil private sector, according to the official statistics.

The total leasable area of organised retail accommodation throughout Qatar, including neighbourhood malls, has now surpassed 1.5mn sqm, according to the Cushman and Wakefield Qatar (CWQ).

The Qatar Stock Exchange Tuesday witnessed strong buying interests from the local and foreign retail investors, even as it closed 35 points lower, ahead of Eid holidays.

Qatar issued a total of 500 building permits in April 2021 with as much as 69% of it going to Al Rayyan, Doha and Al Wakra municipalities, according to the official data.

Qatar's capital market awaits the advent of the REITs or real estate investment trusts, a move that would enhance the investment portfolio for the investors.

Foreign funds and individuals were increasingly net buyers in the Qatar Stock Exchange, which on Monday added another 15 points to inch near the 11,000 levels, ahead of Eid holidays.