Oman's share index ends lower marginally

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,593.63 points, down 0.01 per cent from previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.05 per cent at 515.89 points. Oman Qatar Insurance, up 5.38 per cent was the top gainer on Thursday while National Gulf Investment, down 9.62 per cent, was the top loser. Al Anwar Ceramic was the most active in terms of number of shares traded and also was the most active in terms of turnover. 

A total number 611 of trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating turnover of OMR3.9 million, with more than 23.5 million shares changing hands. Out of 41 traded stocks, 8 advanced, 16 declined and 17 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net buyers for OMR1.1 million while GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR923,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR261,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,761.06 points, down by 0.16 per cent. Oman Qatar Insurance, Sohar International Bank and Bank Muscat were up by5.38 per cent, 1.06 per cent and 0.54 per cent respectively. Gulf Investment, Al Anwar Holding, Muscat Finance, Al Madina Takaful and Ominvest were down by 9.62 per cent, 4.62 per cent, 2.27 per cent, 1.30 per cent and 1.20 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,015.56 points, down 0.57 per cent. Al Anwar Ceramic and Al Jazeera Steel were up by 2.11 per cent and 0.83 per cent respectively. Galfar Engineering, National Aluminium, Salalah Mills, Al Maha Ceramic, and Oman Cement were down by 8.89 per cent, 8.79 per cent, 1.77 per cent, 0.48 per cent and 0.44 per cent respectively.

Services index was down 0.02 per cent before closing at 1,568.62 points. Renaissance Service, Al Jazeera Service and Ooredoo were up by 2.42 per cent, 0.56 per cent and 0.54 per cent respectively. Al Suwadi Power, SMN Power, Al Batinah Power, and Omantel were down by 3.57 per cent, 2.27 per cent, 1.85 per cent and 0.64 per cent respectively.