Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,555.68 points, down 0.23 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended down 0.11 per cent at 516.97 points. Gulf Investment, up 3.45 per cent was the top gainer while Dhofar cattle, down 9.65 per cent, was the top loser. Gulf Investment 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 398 of trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.4 million, with more than 11 million shares changing hands. Out of 34 traded stocks, 5 advanced, 8 declined and 21 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR352,000 while local investors were net buyers for OMR339,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR13,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,628.92 points, down by 0.27 per cent. Gulf Investment and Al Madina Takaful were up by 3.45 per cent and 1.35 per cent respectively. Oman United Insurance, Bank Dhofar, and Ahli Bank were down by 1.52 per cent, 0.97 per cent and 0.77 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 3,988.39 points, down 0.06 per cent. Galfar Engineering and Oman Cement were up by 2.56 per cent and 0.44 per cent respectively. Dhofar Cattle was down by 9.65 per cent.  

Services index was down 0.22 per cent before closing at 1,603.93 points. Al Batinah Power and OIFC were up by 1.89 per cent and 1.11 per cent respectively. National Gas, Sembcorp Salalah, Al Kamil Power, and Omantel were down by 1.96 per cent, 1.75 per cent, 1.71 per cent, and 0.65 per cent respectively.