Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,576.76 points, up 0.82 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended up 0.21 per cent at 516.26 points. Al Madina Investment up 4.35 per cent was the top gainer while Gulf Investment, down 3.45 per cent, was the top loser. Al Madina 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 of 310 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR0.8 million, with more than 6.8 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded stocks, 17 advanced, 4 declined and 18 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR105,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR86,000  followed by local investors for OMR19,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,671.020 points, up by 0.99 per cent. Al Madina Investment, Bank Dhofar, Muscat Finance, United Finance, and Oman & Emirates Investment were up by 4.35 per cent, 2.97 per cent, 2.70 per cent, 2.50 per cent and 2.22 per cent respectively. Gulf Investment was down by 3.45 per cent.

Industrial Index closed at 4,026.75 points, up 0.60 per cent. Raysut Cement, Al Jazeera Steel, Al Anwar Ceramic, Oman Cement, and Al Maha Ceramic were up by 2.58 per cent, 1.61 per cent, 0.99 per cent, 0.87 per cent, and 0.48 per cent respectively. National Aluminium was down by 1.12 per cent.

Services index was down by 0.33 per cent before closing at 1,589.66. SMN Power, OIFC and National Gas were up by 2.50 per cent, 1.12 per cent and 0.66 per cent respectively. Al Maha Petroleum and Renaissance Service were down by 2.47 per cent and 1.16 per cent respectively.