Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,603.07 points, up 0.29 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.29 per cent at 517.45 points. National Aluminium, up 4.60 per cent was the top gainer while Voltamp Energy 4.32 per cent, was the top loser. Al Anwar Ceramic was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and Government Bonds Issue 50th was the most active in terms of turnover.
A total number of 448 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR4.1 million, with more than 6.9 million shares changing hands. Out of 32 traded stocks, 14 advanced, 4 declined and 14 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR90,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR60,000 followed by local investors for OMR31,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index closed at 5,804.75 points, up by 0.19 per cent. Muscat Finance, Al Madina Takaful, HSBC Oman and Bank Nizwa were up by 2.22 per cent, 1.35 per cent, 1.09 per cent and 1.0 per cent respectively. Gulf Investment and Al Anwar Holding were down by 3.03 per cent and 1.49 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index closed at 4,005.43 points, up 0.63 per cent. National Aluminium, Raysut Cement, Al Anwar Ceramic and Oman Fisheries were up by 4.60 per cent, 4.04 per cent, 1.71 per cent and 1.16 per cent respectively. Voltamp Energy was down by 4.32 per cent.
Services index was up 0.02 per cent before closing at 1,560.49 points. SMN Power, Al Jazeera Service, and OIFC were up by 1.33 per cent 1.14 per cent and 1.12 per cent respectively. Omantel was down by 0.64 per cent.