Qatar Shares Rise to 3-Week High on Dividends, Profit Outlook

Qatar’s benchmark index rose to the highest level more than in three weeks, helped by the Persian Gulf’s second-biggest dividend yield and bets World Cup-related public spending will boost company earnings.

Masraf Al Rayan, an Islamic lender, advanced the most since March 8. Al-Khalij Holding Co., a holding company with investments in manufacturing and cement, rose to the highest level since July. The benchmark QE Index climbed 0.3 percent to 8,726.50, the highest since March 1, at the close in Doha, trimming losses this quarter to 0.6 percent. Oman’s MSM30 Index fell 1.5 percent, the most since August, as BankMuscat SAOG fell after the central bank cut interest rates on personal loans.