Companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) completed five indirect acquisitions valued at QR583 million in 2024, with the majority of deals taking place outside Qatar, according to the latest annual report by the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA).
The acquisitions spanned several key sectors including industrials, transportation, and banking and financial services. Of the total, three acquisitions were conducted domestically, accounting for QR43 million—just 7% of the total value. The remaining QR540 million, or 93%, involved overseas deals in the financial and industrial sectors.
“These transactions reflect the growing cross-border ambitions of QSE-listed companies and a continued appetite for strategic expansion,” the QFMA stated.
The QFMA’s Securities Offering and Listing Affairs Department oversees applications related to public offerings, listings, mergers, and acquisitions. In collaboration with the ‘One Single Window Committee’, the department ensures proper evaluation and transparency, reviewing listing prospectuses and assessment reports to protect investor interests.
In terms of capital market activity, 2024 saw five applications submitted for share issuance, with four still under review. A decision is also pending on a new exchange-traded fund (ETF) and one real estate investment trust (REIT). The QSE currently hosts two ETFs, backed by Al Rayan Bank and Doha Bank.
The year also saw significant movement in the listings arena. Al-Faleh Educational Holding Company transitioned from the venture market to the main market, listing all of its 240 million shares, bringing the number of companies on the QSE main board to 52.
In another milestone, Qatar Electronic Systems Company (Techno Q) was approved for listing on the QSE’s venture market. All 84.5 million of its shares, valued at QR245.05 million, were listed directly without a public offering. This move is part of QFMA’s broader strategy to enhance market diversity and widen investment opportunities.
The listing is expected to boost Techno Q’s visibility, improve funding options, and promote greater transparency in line with QSE listing standards.
Government debt instruments also saw robust activity. In 2024, a total of 55 treasury bills and bonds were listed with a combined nominal value of QR51 billion. Additionally, 56 International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs) were issued, covering 37 treasury bills, 18 bonds, and one newly listed company.
These developments underscore Qatar’s efforts to deepen its capital markets and support economic diversification by attracting domestic and international investors.
