Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,594.65 points, up 0.29 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.06 per cent at 516.40 points. Al Anwar Ceramic, up 3.83 per cent was the top gainer while Gulf Investment, down 9.52 per cent, was the top loser. Oman Arab Bank was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and also was the most active in terms of turnover.
A total number 319 of trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR10.5 million, with more than 51.9 million shares changing hands. Out of 27 traded stocks, 8 advanced, 7 declined and 12 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR64,000 while local investors were net sellers for OMR50,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR14,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index closed at 5,770.61 points, up by 0.16 per cent. Sohar International Bank and Bank Muscat were up by 2.20 per cent and 0.54 per cent respectively. Gulf Investment was down by 9.52 per cent.
Industrial Index closed at 4,070.06 points, up 0.59 per cent. Al Anwar Ceramic and Raysut Cement were up by 3.83 per cent and 1.94 per cent respectively. Galfar Engineering, National Aluminium and Al Jazeera Steel were down by 2.17 per cent, 2.08 per cent, and 0.81 per cent respectively.
Services index was up 0.11 per cent before closing at 1,566.81 points. Renaissance Service, Shell Oman, National Gas and Al Jazeera Service were up by 1.88 per cent, 1.33 per cent, 1.27 per cent and 1.13 per cent respectively.  Al Suwadi Power, Musandam Power, and Ooredoo were down by 1.79 per cent, 1.23 per cent and 1.07 per cent respectively.