Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,552.15 points, up 0.05 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended up 0.22 per cent at 515.53 points. National Gas up 3.50 per cent was the top gainer while Muscat Finance, down 2.63 per cent, was the top loser. National Bank of Oman was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and Omantel was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 206 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR420,000, with more than 2.4 million shares changing hands. Out of 28 traded stocks, 10 advanced, 6 declined and 12 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net buyers for OMR52,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR29,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR23,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,619.95 points, down by 0.05 per cent. Al Anwar Holding, Al Madina Takaful, Vision Insurance and Bank Muscat were up by 1.64 per cent, 1.39 per cent, 1.14 per cent and 1.11 per cent respectively. Muscat Finance and National Bank of Oman were down by 3.63 per cent, and 1.90 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,002.53 points, up 0.32 per cent. Galfar Engineering, Al Maha Ceramic, Oman Cement, Al Anwar Ceramic and Al Jazeera Steel were up by 2.50 per cent, 1.45 per cent, 1.14 per cent, 0.98 per cent and 0.83 per cent respectively. Oman Cable was down by 0.93 per cent.

Services index was down by 0.08 per cent before closing at 1,590.58 points. National Gas was up by 3.5 per cent. Al Batinah Power, Suwadi Power and Semcorp Salalah were down by 1.85 per cent, 1.82 per cent and 0.90 per cent respectively.