Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,566.12 points, down 0.34 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.32 per cent at 533.76 points.

Galfar Engineering, up 6.38 per cent, was the top gainer while Al Phoenix Power, down 5.66 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Galfar Engineering were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while also was most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 642 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.0 million, with more than 17.19 million shares changing hands. Out of 43 traded stocks, 13 advanced, 10 declined and 21 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net buyers for OMR205,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR174,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR32,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,265.79 points, down by 0.86 per cent. Oman Arab Bank, National Life and Ominvest were up by 4.9 per cent, 1.7 per cent and 1.25 per cent respectively. Ahli Bank, Al Madina Investment, Sohar International Bank, HSBC Bank Oman and Bank Muscat were down by 4.67 per cent, 4.17 per cent, 2.53 per cent, 2.50 per cent and 0.50 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,666.19 points, up 0.89 per cent. Galfar Engineering, Jazeera Steel, Aluminium Product, Raysut Cement and Oman Cement were up by 6.38 per cent, 2.78 per cent, 2.35 per cent, 1.94 per cent and 1.85 per cent respectively. Oman Cable was down by 0.46 per cent.

Services index was down by 0.20 per cent before closing at 1,586.84 points. Renaissance Service, Al Suwadi Power, Omantel and Ooredoo were up by 2.31 per cent, 2.04 per cent, 1.04 per cent and 0.48 per cent respectively. Phoenix Power, Oman Education Trading and OIFC were down by 5.66 per cent, 4.00 per cent and 2.33 per cent respectively.