Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,701.51 points, up 0.12 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.50 per cent at 544.29 points.

Oman Investment & Financials Bonds, up 7.69 per cent, was the top gainer while Voltamp Energy, down 6.98 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of OIFC was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Raysut Cement was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 568 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.44 million, with more than 10.99 million shares changing hands. Out of 52 traded stocks, 11 advanced, 15 declined and 26 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR159,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR146,000 followed by local investors for OMR13,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,727.90 points, up by 0.51 per cent. HSBC Bank Oman, United Finance, National Bank of Oman, Al Sharqiya Investments and Sohar International Bank were up 6.82 per cent, 4.65 per cent, 2.78 per cent 1.47 per cent and 1.10 per cent respectively. Oman & Emirates Holding, Bank Dhofar, Al Omaniya Financial Service, Bank Nizwa and Al Madina Takaful were down 4.17 per cent, 1.87 per cent, 1.30 per cent, 1.03 per cent and 1.00 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,654.65 points, down 0.11 per cent. Al Maha Ceramics and Galfar Engineering were up 2.20 per cent and 2.08 per cent respectively. Voltamp Energy, National Aluminum Product, Raysut Cement and Al Anwar Ceramics were down 6.98 per cent, 5.08 per cent, 1.43 per cent and 1.23 per cent respectively.

Services index was down by 0.24 per cent before closing at 1,533.02 points. Al Jazeera Service and National Gas were up 4.67 per cent and 1.45 per cent respectively. Dhofar Generating, Sembcorp Salalah and Oman Investment & Financials were down 5.88 per cent, 4.60 per cent and 1.20 per cent respectively.