Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,633.630 points, down 0.34 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.67 per cent at 511.21 points. Sembcorp Salalah, up 3.85 per cent was the top gainer while Majan College, down 7.87 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Bank Muscat were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and also were the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 297 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR0.89 million, with more than 4.39 million shares changing hands. Out of 43 traded stocks, 8 advanced, 13 declined and 22 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net buyers for OMR174,000 while GCC & Arab were net sellers for OMR148,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR25,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,693.13 points, up by 0.38 per cent. Gulf Investment and Oman United Insurance were up by 2.94 per cent and 1.03 per cent respectively. National Life, Al Madina Investment, Bank Dhofar, Sohar International Bank and Bank Muscat were down by 6.59 per cent, 4.35 per cent, 1.96 per cent, 1.06 per cent, and 1.04 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,021.89 points, down 0.12 per cent.  Al Jazeera Steel and Raysut Cement were up by 1.65 per cent and 1.33 per cent respectively. Al Anwar Ceramic and Oman Cement were down by 1.44 per cent and 0.81 per cent respectively.

Services index was down by 0.16 per cent before closing at 1,598.21 points. Sembcorp Salalah, Muscat Gases, Omantel and Al Maha Petroleum were up by 3.85 per cent, 2.94 per cent, 1.18 per cent and 0.63 per cent respectively. Majan College, Al Jazeera Service, Al Batinah Power, National Gas and Ooredoo were down by 7.87 per cent, 5.91 per cent, 5.45 per cent, 1.96 per cent, 0.51 per cent respectively.