MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,788.27 points, up 0.73 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.32 per cent at 534.25 points. Oman Cement, up 6.81 per cent, was the top gainer while SMN Power Holding, down 1.43 per cent, was the top loser. The shares of Madina Takaful were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.

A total number of 1,118 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.8 million, with more than 22.5 million shares changing hands. Out of 50 traded stocks, 19 advanced, 8 declined and 23 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR179,000 while foreign investors were net buyers for OMR96,000 followed by Local investors for OMR83,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,852.93 points, up by 0.53 per cent. Al Omaniya Financial Service, Al Anwar Investment, National Bank Oman, Al Sharqia Investment and Sohar International Bank were up 5.21 per cent, 2.25 per cent, 1.27 per cent, 1.14 per cent and 1.12 per cent respectively. Vision Insurance, Madina Takaful, Bank Nizwa and Oman United Insurance were down 1.37 per cent, 1.12 per cent, 1.06 per cent and 0.53 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5,377.76 points, up 2.16 per cent. Oman Cement, Jazeera Steel Product, Al Maha Ceramic, Al Anwar Ceramic and Oman Cables Industry were up 6.81 per cent, 4.27 per cent, 3.09 per cent, 2.98 per cent and 2.88 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.54 per cent before closing at 1,597.01 points. Oman National Engineering, Al Jazeera Service, Renaissance Service, Al Batinah Power and Oman Telecommunication were up 4.49 per cent, 2.50 per cent, 2.03 per cent, 1.82 per cent and 1.03 per cent respectively. SMN Power Holding, Sharqiyah Desalination and Ooredoo were down 1.43 per cent, 0.82 per cent and 0.51 per cent respectively.