Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,586.98 points, down 0.04 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.31 per cent at 519.06 points. Al Jazeera Service, up 5.67 per cent was the top gainer while United Finance, down 5.67 per cent, was the top loser. Gulf Investment 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 419 of trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR0.97 million, with more than 10.8 million shares changing hands. Out of 43 traded stocks, 9 advanced, 10 declined and 24 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR146,000 while local investors were net sellers for OMR133,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR13,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index closed at 5,679.15 points, down by 0.25 per cent. Al Anwar Holding, Al Madina Takaful, and Bank Nizwa were 3.23 per cent, 1.33 per cent and 1.01 per cent respectively. United Finance, Gulf Investment, Takaful Oman, Al Madina Investment and HSBC Oman were down by 9.62 per cent, 7.69 per cent, 6.54 per cent, 4.17 per cent and 2.22 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index closed at 4,038.92 points, up 0.36 per cent. Al Anwar Ceramic, National Aluminium, and Al Maha Ceramic were up by 3.54 per cent, 1.12 per cent and 0.49 per cent respectively. Oman Cement was down by 0.88 per cent.    
Services index was up 0.66 per cent before closing at 1,598.66 points. Al Jazeera Service, Muscat City and Sembcorp Salalah were up by 5.67 per cent, 5.43 per cent, 3.67 per cent respectively. Renaissance Service and Ooredoo were down by 0.57 per cent and 0.51 per cent respectively.