MSM index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,747.529 points, up 0.85 per cent from previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.02 per cent at 532.029 points. Oman Cement, up 8.27 per cent, was the top gainer on Thursday, while Sharqiyah Desain, down 9.46 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Galfar Engineering was the most active in terms of number of shares traded and Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover. 

A total number of 898 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating turnover of OMR1.70 million, with more than 12.827 million shares changing hands. Out of 42 traded stocks, 16 advanced, 8 declined and 18 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab Investors were net buyers for OMR91,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR57,000 followed by local investors for OMR33,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,684.617 points, up by 0.54 per cent. Al Madina Takaful, Arabia Falcon, Al Omaniya Financial, Sohar International Bank and Bank Nizwa were up by 3.75 per cent, 2.50 per cent, 1.45 per cent, 1.05 per cent and 1.04 per cent respectively. Vision Insurance, United Finance, Al Anwar Holding, and Al Sharqia Investment were down by 2.35 per cent, 2.17 per cent, 2.35 per cent, 2.17 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,609.66 points, up 0.03 per cent. Oman Cement, Al Anwar Ceramic, and Al Maha Ceramics were up by 8.27 per cent, 1.35 per cent, and 0.79 per cent respectively. Al Jazeera Steel, Galfar Engineering, and Oman Flour Mills were down by 3.96 per cent, 1.89 per cent and 1.71 per cent respectively.

Services index was up by 0.29 per cent before closing at 1,627.556 points. Renaissance Service, Omantel, Oman National Engineer and Phoenix Power were up by 3.37 per cent, 2.17 per cent, 2.15 per cent and 1.92 per cent respectively. Sharqiyah Desain, Majan College, Al Maha Marketing and Al Batinah Power were down by 9.46 per cent, 6.88 per cent, 2.98 per cent and 2.00 per cent respectively. United Securities