Oman’s share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM30 Index saw a broad based decline to close at 4,906.01 points, down 0.48 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index ended at 696.26 points, down 0.20 per cent. Bank Nizwa was the most active in terms of volume while Omantel was the most active in terms of turnover. National Aluminium was the top gainer, up 4.70 per cent, while Sohar Power remained the top loser, down 3.33 per cent.
A total number of 491 trades were executed on Sunday, generating turnover of OMR2.24 million with 7.29 million shares changing hands. Out of 36 traded securities, 7 advanced, 16 declined and 13 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors remained net buyers for OMR177,000 while Omani investors were net sellers for OMR164,000 followed by Foreign investors for OMR13,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index retreated 0.37 per cent to end at 7,318.32 points. Al Izz Bank, Al Batinah Development and Bank Nizwa gained 2.74 per cent, 2.35 per cent and 1.14 per cent respectively. Taageer Finance, HSBC Bank, Al Madina Investments, Al Anwar Holding and Gulf Investment Services declined 2.40 per cent, 1.79 per cent, 1.79 per cent, 1.31 per cent and 1.10 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index ended at 6,757.25 points, down 0.36 per cent. National Aluminium and Gulf International Chemicals gained 4.70 per cent and 0.42 per cent respectively. Al Anwar Ceramics, Oman Flour Mills and Oman Fisheries decreased 2.31 per cent, 2.13 per cent and 0.74 per cent respectively.
Services Index declined 0.32 per cent to finish at 2,580.18 points. OIFC and Al Jazeera Services gained 0.75 per cent and 0.58 per cent respectively. Sohar Power, Ooredoo, Omantel, Muscat Gases and National Gas declined 3.33 per cent, 2.04 per cent, 1.96 per cent, 0.71 per cent and 0.33 per cent respectively.