Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,720.07 points, up 0.30 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.95 per cent at 534.48 points.

Voltamp Energy, up 8.70 per cent, was the top gainer while Muscat Finance, down 6.52 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Al Anwar Investment were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Bank Muscat was most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 947 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR4 million, with more than 18 million shares changing hands. Out of 46 traded stocks, 17 advanced, 7 declined and 22 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR382,000 while Omani investors were net buyers for OMR212,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR171,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,723.61 points, up by 0.03 per cent. Al Sharqia Investment, Al Anwar Investment, Madina Takaful and Bank Nizwa were up 4.17 per cent, 2.25 per cent, 1.16 per cent and 1.06 per cent respectively. Muscat Finance, United Finance and Sohar International Bank were down 6.52 per cent, 2.27 per cent and 1.09 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,800.76 points, up 1.53 per cent. Voltamp Energy, Dhofar Cattle Feed, Jazeera Steel Product, Oman Flour Mills and Al Maha Ceramics were up 8.70 per cent, 8.33 per cent, 5.88 per cent 3.92 per cent and 3.36 per cent respectively. Galfar Engineering and Oman Refreshment were down 2.08 per cent and 0.38 per cent respectively.

Services index was up by 0.91 per cent before closing at 1,549.47 points. Al Jazeera Service, Renaissance Service, Al Batinah Power, Al Suwadi Power and National Gas were up 3.87 per cent, 2.78 per cent, 1.79 per cent, 1.75 per cent and 1.45 per cent respectively. SMN Power Holding was the only loser by 1.43 per cent.