MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,928.52 points, up 0.04 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.11 per cent at 579.37 points.

Oman Refreshment was the top gainer, up by 19.92 per cent. While United Finance, down 1.72 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Bank Muscat were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded as well as was in terms of turnover.

A total number of 217 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR0.95 million, with more than 4.3 million shares changing hands. Out of 35 traded securities, 9 advanced, 9 declined and 27 remained unchanged.

At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR72,000 while local investors were net sellers for OMR45,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR26,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,240 points, up 0.12 per cent. Prices Global Investment Holding was the only gainer by 1.56 per cent. United Finance, Muscat Finance, Taageer Finance and Al Anwar Investment were down 1.72 per cent, 1.69 per cent, 1.33 per cent and 0.88 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,013.31 points, up 0.37 per cent. Prices of Oman Refreshment, National Aluminum Product and Voltamp Energy were up 19.92 per cent, 2.11 per cent and 1.48 per cent respectively. Al Maha Ceramics and Oman Cement were down 1.57 per cent and 0.44 per cent respectively.

Services Index was down by 0.42 per cent before closing at 1,675.03 points. Oman National Engineering, Phoenix Power, Musandam Power and Ooredoo were up 3.30 per cent, 2.22 per cent, 1.85 per cent and 1.06 per cent respectively. OIFC and Al Jazeera Services were down 1.45 per cent and 0.52 per cent respectively.