Strong gains across the board supported the Qatar Exchange (QE) Index, closing at 7,024.72 points (up 1.51%). Trading volumes surged by 82% with some 12.95m shares changing hands in Doha. Barwa Real Estate lifted the index in particular, closing 3.10% higher at QR30.00. 35 shares advanced in Doha, two declined and four remained flat. Qatar National Bank (QNB), the leading national bank in the gulf state, added 0.74%, closing at QR136, slightly below a key resistance level of QRE140. QNB stocks were boosted in spring after have been affirmed by two leading ratings agencies, Standard & Poor's (S&P) and Capital Intelligence (CI) affirmed the bank's investment grade ratings.