Mubasher: Qatar National Bank (QNB) is expecting the profits of 17 Qatar Exchange-listed companies to rise in the second quarter of the year by 23.9% year-on-year, supported by operational activities, with an 8.1% quarterly growth.

Qatar Industries, Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ), and Qatar Navigation (Milaha) are expected to positively contribute to the rising profits, with Barwa reporting a 5% rise in profits to QAR 422.1 million, QNB’s research unit said in a report issued on Tuesday.

Last year, the banking sector led the improvement in the market financial results, especially as QNB raised annual dividends by 89%.

Higher oil prices, and the increasing financial solvency rates are contributing to the Qatari market since March, however, the market could still face volatility amidst global uncertainties due to the trade war, as well as the lack of sustainable stimulus.