About Qatar Stock Exchange

The launching of Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) has represented a significant milestone in the history of Qatar's capital markets. Since inception, QSE has been the core of the ongoing development of Qatar's capital markets.

The QSE achieved remarkable progress as a platform for economic diversification and sustainable development. These achievements are evidenced by the trading performance and infrastructure improvements, social responsibility activities and the promotion of investment awareness, sound disclosure and IR practices, and the improvement of services and investment products.

 

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    The listing of the first corporate bonds and Sukuks tradable on the exchange marks a significant milestone in QSE ongoing efforts to broaden the range of investment products available to the market participants. This achievement reflects QSE's commitment to providing investors with more diverse opportunities while enabling companies to access efficient financing solutions through the capital markets.

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    QSE has made a significant achievement by launching a new and high-performing trading platform built on the same advanced technology used by many global capital markets. The new trading platform provides innovative, robust, and scalable solutions that align with the advanced financial market technologies utilized by London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). These technologies encompass trading services, market data, data analytics, and market surveillance.

    After the successful pilot phase of the Market Making Initiative initiated by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in September 2022, QIA, in collaboration with QSE, has established a permanent market making program. This program dedicates up to one billion QAR to reinforce QSE's competitiveness The permanent program will help enhance liquidity in the market, improve price discovery, and strengthen investors' confidence.

    As part of its strategic efforts to develop the market and boost liquidity, QSE has introduced the covered short selling activity. This move provides investors with a new mechanism to diversify their investment strategies in the market, offering more dynamic and varied trading options.

    As part of QSE's efforts to enhance liquidity in the market, 2023 witnessed the listing of three companies on the main market and one on the venture market, with these new listings collectively increased the market capitalization by about QAR 25 billion at the time of their listing.

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    QSE celebrated its 25th Anniversary. At the event, employees with over 20 years of service with the Exchange were recognized with awards. A number of speeches from senior representatives were given which highlighted the progress and achievements of the Exchange over the period.

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    QSE oversaw the start of Liquidity Provider activities, carried out by licensed brokers, on a number of listed securities, in addition to the start of market making activities on the Al Rayan Qatar ETF. These programmes are designed to support investors by ensuring that there is sufficient liquidity in these securities to allow them to trade at a fair price.

    QSE in collaboration with MSCI Inc. launched an ESG index which is designed to identify the top 20 securities with the MSCI Qatar IMI Index that demonstrate the best Environmental, Social and Governance profiles. QSE intends for this tradeable index to serve as a basis for index linked financial products particularly Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).

    QSE launched the QE Venture Market (QEVM) platform, dedicated to the listing of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

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    QSE was recognized as the best financial institution locally in accomplishing social responsibility.

    Successfully launched a new website which offers innovative features and analytical tools to meet the evolving needs and demands of its various stakeholders such as investors, analysts, media, regulators …etc. Additionally, the website was granted the digital accessibility certification by Mada centre for applying the web content accessibility standards for persons with disabilities.

    Successfully launched the Q-Disclosure system based on XBRL to promote the highest disclosure and transparency standards in the market.

    In a quick response to the lock-down due to the pandemic, and as part of its BCP, QSE managed to successfully launch its distance-learning program which included free online financial literacy courses to the public and reached a remarkable milestone of about 10,000 participants in those programs since 2016.

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    QSE successfully executed the Regulator mandated stock split for all the securities listed on the market.

    The shares of "Baladna" were admitted to trading in Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), taking the number of the companies listed on the market to forty-seven Qatari public shareholding companies.

    As part of efforts to enhance sustainability and financial literacy, QSE organized the first financial competition for university students, which aimed to promote investment awareness among the students, in line with the Human Development Pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

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    In 2018 witnessed huge accomplishments by QSE such as being ranked as the best performing exchange amongst emerging and developed markets in the world, QSE attracted net foreign inflows of 2.5 billion dollars. In addition, QSE has listed the first 2 ETFs in Qatar and the largest in the GCC.

    QSE launched its Sustainability and ESG platform to be the first in the region and of pioneering exchanges globally to promote ESG standards.

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    In 2016, Qatar Stock Exchange joined the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchange (SSEI) initiative.

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    In 2015, QSE has been upgraded by FTSE to emerging market status.

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    In 2013, QSE was on a date with a great achievement in its history by being upgraded by MSCI to the emerging market status, effective May 2014. Also, upgraded by S&P Dow Jones to EM status. Also 2013 witnessed another big success for QSE such as, Bonds listing, full membership in the WFE, QSE's CEO became member of the WFE's board.

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    In 2012, QSE announced the QSE Venture Market readiness to list SMEs, aims at providing a finance platform for the development of this sector in the Economy.

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    In 2011 witnessed another major milestone in QSE's strive to develop Doha as a world-class financial center, by launching the Debt-Market and listing of the first tranche of Treasury-Bills as well as launching the DVP settlement process.

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    In 2010, QSE has implemented its new state-of-the-art trading platform (UTP), which is currently in use by NYSE and Euronext exchanges.

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    In 2009, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), and NYSE Euronext, signed an agreement to form a world-class market. The DSM was renamed to Qatar Stock Exchange on the conclusion of the deal, marking the start of a new era in the history of the Exchange's development.

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    In 2008 witnessed many important events. The market reacted positively to these events and at the same time, it implemented plans that focused on vertical development by investing in the development of manpower, technology and legislations, as well as on horizontal development by increasing the number of listed companies.

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    In 2007, the World Federation of Exchanges accepted QSE as a Correspondent Member of the Federation during its annual Board of Directors' meeting which was held in Shanghai, China on October 14, 2007.

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    In 2006, seven new issues (IPO & Rights Issue) with a total amount of QR 10.8 billion were offered. New Daily Price Change Limit: Effective from July 11, 2006, the daily share price limit has changed from 5% to 10% (up or down).

    On June 7, 2006, QSE was accepted as an Affiliate member of the International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO).

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    An Amiri decree has been issued in 2005 allowing foreign investors to buy listed companies' shares up to 25% of the free float.

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    In 2002, QSE's first website has been launched.

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    In 2001, QSE implemented its first automated trading system (Horizon).

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    Established in 1995, Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) officially started its manual operations in 1997 with 17 listed companies, under the name of Doha Securities Market (DSM). Since then the exchange has grown to become one of the leading stock markets in the GCC region.

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