Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,586.55 points, down 0.01 per cent from previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.10 per cent at 521.22 points. Al Jazeera Service, up 4.39 per cent was the top gainer while United Finance, down 8.51 per cent, was the top loser. Gulf Investment was the most active in terms of number of shares traded and also was the most active in terms of turnover.
A total number 348 of trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating turnover of OMR0.759 million, with more than 7.98 million shares changing hands. Out of 40 traded stocks, 7 advanced, 15 declined and 18 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net buyers for OMR 146,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR102,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR45,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index closed at 5,680.59 points, down by 0.03 per cent. HSBC Oman, Oman United Insurance and Ominvest were up by 2.27 per cent, 1.54 per cent and 1.26 per cent respectively. United Finance, Vision Insurance, Al Anwar Holding, Oman Qatar Insurance and Gulf Investment were down by 8.51 per cent, 5.38 per cent, 3.13 per cent, 3.06 per cent and 2.78 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index closed at 4,025.08 points, down 0.34 per cent. Al Jazeera Steel and Al Maha Ceramics were down by 2.38 per cent and 0.97 per cent respectively.
Services index was up 0.08 per cent before closing at 1,599.87 points. Al Jazeera Service, Semcorp Salalah and Omantel were up by 4.39 per cent, 1.77 per cent and 0.65 per cent respectively. National Gas, OIFC and Musandam Power were down by 2.52 per cent, 1.11 per cent and 0.63 per cent respectively.