MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,847.28 points, up 0.19 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.30 per cent at 552.17 points.

Muscat Insurance, up 9.71 per cent, was the top gainer today while National Gas, down 5.84 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Galfar Engineering were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Al Jazeera Services were the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 819 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR3 million, with more than 18.5 million shares changing hands. Out of 47 traded stocks, 16 advanced, 12 declined and 19 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR406,000 while Local investors were net buyers for OMR356,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR50,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,967.18 points, up by 0.39 per cent. Muscat Insurance, Bank Dhofar, Madina Takaful, Bank Nizwa and Ahli Bank were up 9.71 per cent, 2.78 per cent, 2.08 per cent, 1.08 per cent and 0.93 per cent respectively. Al Madina Investment, Al Anwar Investment and Oman United Insurance were down 4.35 per cent, 1.06 per cent and 1.03 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5,527.35 points, down 0.35 per cent. Al Anwar Ceramic and Oman Cement were up 0.57 per cent and 0.40 per cent respectively. Galfar Engineering, Gulf International Chemical, Jazeera Steel Product, National Aluminum Product and Al Maha Ceramic were down 3.70 per cent, 1.92 per cent, 1.55 per cent, 1.48 per cent and 1.20 per cent respectively.

Services Index was down by 0.48 per cent before closing at 1,614.94 points. Al Jazeera Services was the only gainer by 1.75 per cent. National Gas, Al Batinah Power, Oman Telecommunication, Oman National Engineering and Renaissance Service were down 5.84 per cent, 1.82 per cent, 1.49 per cent, 1.09 per cent and 0.96 per cent respectively.