Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,547.58 points, down 0.13 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended down 0.07 per cent at 515.17 points. Majan College up 4.12 per cent was the top gainer while Al Anwar Ceramic, down 2.42 per cent, was the top loser. Bank Muscat 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 of 231 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR3.7 million, with more than 12.2 million shares changing hands. Out of 31 traded stocks, 10 advanced, 5 declined and 16 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net buyers for OMR3.4 million while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR3.4 million followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR7,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,615.24 points, down by 0.08 per cent. Oman Arab Bank and HSBC Bank Oman were up by 2.44 per cent and 2.22 per cent respectively. National Bank of Oman, Bank Muscat and Bank Nizwa were down by 1.29 per cent, 1.10 per cent and 1.01 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,002.57 points, up 0.01 per cent. Al Jazeera Steel, Raysut Cement and Oman Cement were up by 2.48 per cent, 1.31 per cent and 0.44 per cent respectively. Al Anwar Ceramic and Al Maha Ceramic were down by 2.42 per cent and 0.48 per cent respectively.

Services index was up by 0.27 per cent before closing at 1,594.95. Majan College, Sohar Power, National Gas, Renaissance Service and Sembcorp Salalah were up by 4.12 per cent, 2.27 per cent, 2.03 per cent, 1.17 per cent and 0.91 per cent respectively.