MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,789.45 points, up 0.03 per cent from previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.61 per cent at 537.52 points.

Madina Takaful, up 5.68 per cent, was the top gainer while Al Batinah Development, down 8.16 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Madina Takaful were the most active in terms of number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.

A total number of 1,121 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating turnover of OMR4 million, with more than 30 million shares changing hands. Out of 51 traded stocks, 16 advanced, 8 declined and 27 remained unchanged. At the session close, Local investors were net buyers for OMR32,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR29,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR3,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,858.49 points, up by 0.09 per cent. Madina Takaful, Oman & Emirates Holding, National Life Insurance, Al Anwar Investment and Al Omaniya Financial Service were up 5.68 per cent, 2.17 per cent, 1.52 per cent, 1.10 per cent and 0.99 per cent respectively. Al Batinah Development, Muscat Finance, Ominvest and National Bank Oman were down 8.16 per cent, 2.13 per cent, 0.64 per cent and 0.63 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5,394.57 points, up 0.31 per cent. Raysut Cement, Gulf International Chemical, Al Maha Ceramic, Al Anwar Ceramic and Oman Cables Industry were up 3.23 per cent, 2.91 per cent, 1.33 per cent, 0.58 per cent and 0.47 per cent respectively. Galfar Engineering, National Aluminum Product and Jazeera Steel Product were down 1.79 per cent, 0.89 per cent and 0.58 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.12 per cent before closing at 1,598.88 points. Al Batinah Power, SMN Power Holding, Oman National Engineering, Oman Investment & Financials and National Gas were up 1.79 per cent, 1.45 per cent, 1.08 per cent, 0.98 per cent and 0.73 per cent respectively. Ooredoo was the only loser by 0.51 per cent.