Qatar index slightly up, banks rise

Banking stocks gain on the Qatar index , which rises in early trading, but volumes are thin.

Qatar National Bank adds 0.9 per cent Doha Bank climbs 0.4 per cent. Index heavyweights also rise. Industries Qatar gains 0.4 per cent. "Traders should hold off on buying until a clear direction break is attained," says a research note from Shuaa Capital. The index rises 0.4 per cent to 7,042 points.