For the year ended 30 June 2014, the fund's share price rose by 26&, a 6% jump on the 19.3% growth it saw in the previous year.
The total shareholder return, including the 3.2 cent dividend, was 29.1%.
The fund’s yearly results, released today, also revealed that its net asset value per share rose 21.6% to reach $1.41, compared to a rise of 23.9% in the Qatari stockmarket, and a rise of 11.7% in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
The Qatar Investment Fund is an investment trust that aims to achieve long term capital growth by investing into Qatari equities.
It was incorporated as a closed-end investment company on the 26th June 2007 on the Isle of Man, and was initially listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.
In line with the fund, Qatar’s economic growth remained strong in the first quarter of 2014, with its gross domestic product (GDP) rising 6.2% compared to the same period in 2013.
The jump follows the country’s upgrade to emerging market status from MSCI Frontier Market status in May.
The country’s GDP is also forecast to grow by 6.3% in 2014 and 7.8% in 2015.
QIF said an increase in the foreign ownership limit of many Qatari companies’ from 25% to 49% should have a positive impact on the country’s overall weight in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
It added that near to long-term growth prospects should remain healthy, due to a strong infrastructure development pipeline, increased government spending, and a growing population.
Chairman Nick Wilson said that the non-oil and gas sector of the economy was “growing fast”, with 11.5% in the first quarter compared to 2013, and growth expected to continue in 2015.
He added: “The Qatari economy continues to forge ahead with encouraging growth in the non-hydrocarbon Qatari economy, supportive demographics, and expansionary fiscal spending.
“Combined with Qatar’s upgrade into the MSCI Emerging Markets index this year, the company is well positioned to gain from the growth behind [the country’s] vigorous economy.”
In May 2011, the fund moved to the main market of the London Stock Exchange, with the aim of broadening its potential investor base and improving the liquidity of its shares.
"Unabated"
In July, Wilson said Qatar’s appetite for growth would continue “unabated” if its bid to host the 2022 World Cup was withdrawn over allegations of bribery and corruption.
“Qatar is a very attractive option for investors at the moment,” he said. “It has recently been upgraded to emerging market status and we believe that, with or without the World Cup, its economy will continue to prosper.”
