MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,816.99 points, up 0.20 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.40 per cent at 541.66 points.

National Aluminum Product, up 8.40 per cent, was the top gainer while Dhofar Cattle Feed, down 5.10 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of United Finance were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Jazeera Steel Product was most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 1,029 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR3 million, with more than 21 million shares changing hands. Out of 51 traded stocks, 17 advanced, 4 declined and 30 remained unchanged. At the session close, domestic investors were net buyers for OMR98,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR96,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR2,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,892.82 points, up by 0.50 per cent. Oman & Emirates Holding, Al Omaniya Financial Service, Al Madina Investment, Muscat Finance and United Finance were up 6.12 per cent, 4.95 per cent, 4.55 per cent, 4.26 per cent and 2.27 per cent respectively. Sohar International Bank was the only loser by 1.09 per cent.

Industrial Index closed at 5,474.16 points, up 0.66 per cent. National Aluminum Product, Al Maha Ceramic, Jazeera Steel Product, Oman Cement and Raysut Cement were up 8.40 per cent, 3.29 per cent, 2.75 per cent, 2.00 per cent and 1.03 per cent respectively. Dhofar Cattle Feed and Oman Cables Industry were down 5.10 per cent and 0.46 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.23 per cent before closing at 1,617.82 points. National Gas and Renaissance service were up 2.65 per cent and 1.00 per cent respectively. Sharqiyah Desalinating was the only loser by 2.48 per cent.