Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,563.92 points, down 0.01 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.11 per cent at 517.54 points. Shell Oman, up 9.65 per cent was the top gainer while Al Hassan Engineering, down 30.0 per cent, was the top loser. Gulf Investment was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and also was the most active in terms of turnover.
A total number 393 of trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR0.95 million, with more than 14.1 million shares changing hands. Out of 34 traded stocks, 5 advanced, 8 declined and 21 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR199,000 while local investors were net sellers for OMR166,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR32,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index closed at 5,644.38 points, up by 0.5 per cent. Sohar International Bank was up by 3.33 per cent. Bank Dhofar and Ahli Bank were down by 3.74 per cent and 1.52 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index closed at 3,990.62 points, down 0.13 per cent. Al Maha Ceramic was up by 0.50 per cent. Al Hassan Engineering and Al Anwar Ceramic were down by 30.0 per cent and 0.49 per cent respectively.
Services index was up 1.14 per cent before closing at 1,607.50 points. Shell Oman and OIFC were up by 9.65 per cent and 5.88 per cent respectively. Al Batinah Power, Al Jazeera Service, Omantel and Ooredoo were down by 1.85 per cent, 0.97 per cent, 0.64 per cent and 0.52 per cent respectively.