Oman's shares end marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,684.26 points, down 0.45 per cent from previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.79 per cent at 530.68 points.

Oman & Emirates Holding, up 4.35  per cent, was the top gainer while Ahli Bank, down 4.55 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Al Anwar Investment were the most active in terms of number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.

A total number of 679 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating turnover of OMR2 million, with more than 17 million shares changing hands. Out of 41 traded stocks, 9 advanced, 12 declined and 20 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR90,000 while Omani investors were net sellers for OMR59,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR31,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,658.80 points, down by 0.70 per cent. Oman & Emirates Holding and Bank Muscat were up 4.35 per cent and 2.66 per cent respectively. Ahli Bank, Takaful Oman, Sohar International Bank, Bank Nizwa and HSBC Bank Oman were down 4.55 per cent, 4.35 per cent, 2.22 per cent, 2.08 per cent and 1.00 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,614.08 points, up 0.15 per cent. Galfar Engineering, Dhofar Cattle Feed and Al Anwar Ceramics were up 2.33 per cent, 1.12 per cent and 0.65 per cent respectively. National Aluminium Product and Al Maha Ceramics were down 0.90 per cent and 0.77 per cent respectively.

Services index was up by 0.01 per cent before closing at 1,530.64 points.  Al Suwadi Power, Oman Investment & Financials and Renaissance Service were up 1.89 per cent, 1.27 per cent and 1.18 per cent respectively. Phoenix Power, National Gas and Ooredoo were down 2.13 per cent, 0.73 per cent and 0.50 per cent respectively.