Shares on Muscat bourse closes flat

Muscat: Shares on the Muscat bourse remained firm with scattered support. The MSM30 index ended on a flat note at 5,615.94 points, up by 0.05 per cent. The MSM Shariah Index closed at 866.57 points, up by 0.17 per cent.
Bank Muscat was the most active in terms and turnover. Al Batinah Development & Investment Holding was the day’s top gainer, up 2.27 per cent while Al Omaniya Financial Services was the top loser, down 6.67 per cent.
As many as 540 trades were executed today, generating a turnover of OMR2.87 million with 10.50 million shares changing hands. Out of 40 traded securities, 8 advanced, 9 declined and 23 remained unchanged. Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR256,000 worth of shares followed by foreign investors at OMR49,000. Arab and GCC investors, who were net sellers, sold stocks amounting to OMR306,000.
Financial Index closed at 7,242.20 points, up by 0.07 per cent. Al Batinah Development & Investment Holding, Al Izz Islamic Bnk, National Bank of Oman and Ahli Bank increased by 2.27 per cent, 1.59 per cent, 1.30 per cent and 0.53 per cent respectively. Al Omaniya Financial Services, DIDIC and Bank Dhofar fell by 6.67 per cent, 1.03 per cent and 0.93 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index marginally fell by 0.01 per cent to close at 7,404.62 points. Galfar Engineering was only gainer and was up by 0.93 per cent to close at OMRO0.106. Oman Cement and Raysut Cement declined by 0.45 per cent and 0.33 per cent respectively.
Services Index fell by 0.23 per cent to end at 3,056.08 points. Oreedoo Oman and Omantel gained by 1.20 per cent and 0.98 per cent respectively. While Oman National Engineering, Sembcorp Salalah and Batinah power declined by 3.75 per cent, 3.23 per cent and 0.51 per cent respectively. –