Qatar Exchange index gained 257.91 points (3.10%) in the first week of the new year when trading closed at 8,569.13 points on Thursday. The trading value during this week increased by 25.13% to reach QR 737,486,590.36 compared to QR 589,366,365.79. Trading volume increased by 5.42% to reach 15,682,802 shares, as against 14,876,904 shares, while the number of transactions fell by 0.89%, to reach 9,963 transactions as compared to 10,052 transactions. The market capitalization increased by 2.79% to reach QR 470,253,632,388.29 as compared to QR 457,490,273,705.15 at the end of previous week. Banks and financial services led the traded value this week with 50.37% of the total traded value. Industries accounted for 26.07%. Transportation accounted for 7.99% and consumer goods and services accounted for 7.44%. Banks and financial services led traded volume this week with 47.52% of the total traded volume. Transportation accounted for 15.30%, industries accounted for 12.80% and real estate accounted for 11.31%. Banks and financial services led number of transactions this week with 39.06% of the total number of transactions. Industries accounted for 19.48%. Transportation accounted for 12.56% and consumer goods and services accounted for 12.10%. From the 42 listed companies, 34 ended this week higher while six fell and two remained unchanged. Industries Qatar led traded value this week with 19.37% of the total traded value. Qatar National Bank accounted for 17.71% and Masraf Al Rayan accounted for 9.14%.