Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,602.46 points, up 0.25 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.55 per cent at 518.74 points. Al Jazeera Service, up 5.59 per cent was the top gainer while United Finance, down 8.77 per cent, was the top loser. Galfar Engineering was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and Al Anwar Ceramic was the most active in terms of turnover.
A total number 398 of trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR0.79 million, with more than 5.8 million shares changing hands. Out of 38 traded stocks, 10 advanced, 12 declined and 16 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR226,000 while local investors were net sellers for OMR204,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR22,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index closed at 5,751.32 points, down by 0.17 per cent. Al Sharqia Investment, National Life & General Insurance, Bank Dhofar, and Al Anwar Holding were up by 2.94 per cent, 2.91 per cent, 2.91 per cent and 1.61 per cent respectively. United Finance, Gulf Investment, Muscat Finance, Dhofar Investment and Ominvest were down by 8.77 per cent, 8.51 per cent, 6.98 per cent, 2.59 per cent and 1.83 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index closed at 4,013.01 points, down 0.17 per cent. National Aluminium and Al Anwar Ceramic were up by 4.65 per cent and 0.52 per cent respectively. Galfar Engineering, Al Jazeera Steel and Al Maha Ceramics were down by 2.44 per cent, 0.82 per cent and 0.48 per cent respectively.  
Services index was up 0.63 per cent before closing at 1,578.47 points. Al Jazeera Service, SMN Power, Ooredoo and Renaissance Service were up by 5.59 per cent, 3.85 per cent, 2.69 per cent and 1.18 per cent respectively. Muscat Gases was down by 3.77 per cent.