Doha, March 12 (QNA) - The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) closed this week down 1.99 percent, losing 213.34 points to settle at 10,485 points, driven by pressure from six sectors, led by the insurance sector, which suffered the largest losses at 5.64 percent. The telecommunications sector was the only gainer this week, rising 1.46 percent.

Financial market analyst Youssef Buhulaiqa told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that, like other markets in the region, the QSE has not been immune to the negative repercussions of current conditions. However, he noted that it stands out as one of the regional markets with clear strengths.

Buhulaiqa added that the Qatari market relies on leading companies with strong financial positions and stable cash dividends, in addition to attractive valuation levels compared to many global markets. He also noted that current and future price-to-earnings ratios (a method for evaluating share price relative to company earnings) reflect significant investment opportunities for long-term investors.

He pointed out that amidst regional tensions, every development on the ground is quickly reflected in oil and gas prices, bringing back to the forefront concerns about global inflation and slowing economic growth.

Current economic indicators, he noted, suggest that the potential impacts of these tensions may be limited in duration, especially for the Gulf economies, which enjoy strong financial foundations and substantial surpluses generated from the energy sector. These factors give the region a high capacity to absorb external shocks and maintain its economic and financial stability.

Buhulaiqa also noted that investors are awaiting the release of the remaining companies listed on the QSE's financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025. These results represent a crucial juncture for evaluating company performance and determining market trends in the coming period, especially given the positive outlook for several vital sectors such as banking, industry, and energy.

In the short term, the financial market analyst concluded his analysis by predicting some market volatility due to the military escalation in the region and a decrease in liquidity as the holidays approach. Many individual investors prefer to reduce their trading activity in preparation for the Eid holiday. However, past experience in the Qatari market indicates that such periods are often temporary, with liquidity quickly returning to the market once activity resumes after the holidays. (QNA)