Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,611.73 points, up 0.98 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended up 0.29 per cent at 517.75 points. Galfar Engineering, up 4.88 per cent was the top gainer today while Al Jazeera Steel, down 1.59 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 421 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.41 million, with more than 11.08 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded stocks, 17 advanced, 3 declined and 19 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR437,000 while domestic investors were net buyers for OMR398,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR40,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,734.95 points, up by 1.13 per cent. Al Sharqia Investment, HSBC Bank Oman, Ahli Bank, Bank Muscat and Al Madina Takaful were up by 4.48 per cent, 3.26 per cent, 2.36 per cent, 2.17 per cent and 1.37 per cent respectively. Bank Nizwa was down by 1.00 per cent.

Industrial Index closed at 4,034.19 points, up 0.18 per cent. Galfar Engineering, Oman Packing, Oman Cement and Raysut Cement were up by 4.88 per cent, 3.97 per cent, 0.86 per cent and 0.63 per cent. Al Jazeera Steel and Oman Cable were down by 1.59 per cent and 1.41 per cent respectively.

Services index was up by 0.55 per cent before closing at 1,598.41. National Gas, Phoenix Power, Al Suwadi Power, Renaissance Service and Al Jazeera Service were up by 1.97 per cent, 1.85 per cent, 1.85 per cent, 1.17 per cent and 0.98 per cent respectively.