Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,690.15 points, up 1.69 per cent from the previous close.
The Sharia Index ended up by 0.28 per cent at 523.49. Al Maha Petroleum, 8.76 per cent was the top gainer today while Voltamp Energy, down 1.42 per cent, was the top loser. HSBC Bank was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover.
A total number of 704 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.8 million, with more than 14.08 million shares changing hands. Out of 45 traded stocks, 23 advanced, 3 declined and 19 remained unchanged. At the session close, local Arab investors were net buyers for OMR254,000 while foreign were net sellers for OMR214,000 followed by GCC & Arab for OMR40,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index closed by 2.0 per cent at, 5,949.35 points. Oman Qatar Insurance, Ahli Bank, HSBC Oman, Al Madina Investment and Oman & Emirates Investment were up by 6.02 per cent, 4.62 per cent, 4.44 per cent, 4.17 per cent, and 4.08 per cent respectively. National Life & General Insurance was down by 1.21 per cent.
Industrial Index closed at 4,001.58 points, up 0.61 per cent. Raysut Cement and Al Jazeera Steel were up by 3.87 per cent and 3.19 per cent respectively. Al Maha Ceramics was down by 0.49 per cent.
Services index was up 1.31 per cent before closing at 1,565.15 points. Al Maha Petroleum, Oman Edu & Trin Investment, OIFC, Sembcorp Salalah and Ooredoo were up by 8.76 per cent, 4.04 per cent, 2.33 per cent, 1.79 per cent and 1.01 per cent respectively. Voltamp Energy was down by 1.42 per cent.