Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,547.89 points, down 0.13 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended down 0.09 per cent at 515.03 points. Al Hassan Engineering up 14.29 per cent was the top gainer while Gulf Investment, down 6.45 per cent, was the top loser. Gulf Investment was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and Oman United was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number 189 of trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR0.48 million, with more than 3.6 million shares changing hands. Out of 37 traded stocks, 6 advanced, 6 declined and 25 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR106,000 while local investors were net buyers for OMR102,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR4,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,602.96 points, down by 0.26 per cent. National life & General Insurance and United Finance were up by 2.82 per cent and 2.56 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 3,991.39 points, up 0.12 per cent. Al Hassan Engineering, National Aluminium and Raysut Cement were up by 14.29 per cent, 3.49 per cent and 1.32 per cent respectively.

Services index was down 0.20 per cent before closing at 1,601.10 points. Oman Oil was up by 2.56 per cent. Al Maha Petroleum and Al Jazeera were down by 1.18 per cent and 0.49 per cent respectively.