MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,065.60 points, up 0.04 per cent from previous close. The Sharia Index ended up by 0.05 per cent at 549.17 points.

OIFC Bonds was the top gainer, up by 6.25 per cent, while SMN Power Holding, down 9.09 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Sohar International Bank were the most active in terms of number of shares traded while that of OMINVEST perpetual bonds were the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 368 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating turnover of OMR1.97 million, with more than 6.51 million shares changing hands. Out of 54 traded securities, 12 advanced, 19 declined and 23 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR42,000 while domestic investors were net buyers for OMR34,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR8,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,471.77 points, up 0.42 per cent. National Bank of Oman, Al Omaniya Financial Services, Vision Insurance, HSBC Bank Oman, and Al Madina Takaful were up by 2.65 per cent, 1.69 per cent, 1.14 per cent, 1.09 per cent, and 1.04 per cent respectively. United Finance, Muscat Finance, Oman & Emirates Investment Holding, Al Anwar Investment, and Sohar International Bank were down 1.82 per cent, 1.72 per cent, 1.43 per cent, 1.03 per cent, and 0.93 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,108.42 points, down 0.35 per cent. Raysut cement was up by 1.22 per cent. National Aluminium Products, Al Anwar Ceramic, Galfar Engineering, Al Jazeera Steel Products, and Oman Cement were down by 5.00 per cent, 1.52 per cent, 1.32 per cent, 1.08 per cent, and 0.84 per cent respectively.

Services Index was down by 0.60 per cent before closing at 1,616.20 points. Muscat City Desalination, and Renaissance Services were up by 5.49 per cent, and 2.38 per cent respectively. SMN Power Holding, Sembcorp Salalah, Dhofar Generating, Phoenix Power, and Al Suwadi Power were down by 9.09 per cent, 5.33 per cent, 2.63 per cent, 2.00 per cent, and 1.92per cent respectively.