The Group Securities: Overview of Qatari Economy Statistics in July 2018

Stock index and trade surplus improved, while population and inflation declined

August 6, 2018

The Group Securities presents figures of the Qatari economy as reflected in the data available by the end of July 2018. Data includes population and inflation figures, Qatar Stock Exchange Indices, oil prices in relation to the approved price in the public state budget, and the banks’ consolidated balance sheet. The illustrative infographic sums up the key economic data to present a snapshot of the economic situation prevalent till the end of July compared to the previous two months – except for some data relating to June only.

1-      By the end of July, local population decreased by about 131,000 people to a total of 2.45 million, compared to 2.58 million at the end of the previous month of June. On an annual basis, the populace decreased by 0.9%, compared to 2.472 million by the end of July 2017.

2-      QSE’s General Index rose by 801 points to settle at 9825 points by the end of July. Although, the total value of traded shares decreased by QR3.48 billion to QR4.49 billion, the total capitalization increased by QR46.2 billion to QR539.9 billion by the end of July, and the P/E ratio climbed to a multiple of 13.11.

3-      U.S. Dollar exchange rate stabilized - along with the Qatari Riyal - against the Euro at the level of US $1.16 per Euro by the end of June, and rose against the Yen to ¥111.70 per U.S. dollar.

4-      The price of Qatar's onshore oil dropped by about US $0.90 to hit US $75.25 a barrel in July. In the middle of July, the price per barrel remained above the 2018 budget price by about US $30.25 per barrel.

5-      Inflation data for July has not yet been released. June’s data, on the other hand, showed inflation decreasing by 0.1%, from 0.5% recorded in the month of May. Changes in subgroups were as follows: Housing and fuel decreased by 4.3%, entertainment and leisure dropped by 3.4%, while telecommunications, furniture and appliances fell by 1%. In contrast, transport increased by 7.2%, health by 3.4%, while Restaurants and Hotels rose by 0.9%.

6-      Trade Balance data for July has not yet been released. June’s data however showed a trade surplus of QR18 billion, an increase of QR5.5 billion, or 44.5% compared to the same month from 2017.

7-      Banks’ consolidated balance sheet for July has not yet been released, but that of June showed an increase of QR45.7 billion in the total assets to QR1392.2 billion; and the rise of the total government and public sector credit, including bonds by QR22.3 billion, settling at QR484 billion. The private sector credit increased by about QR11.4 billion to the level of QR499.4 billion.