Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,683.62 points, down 0.66 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended down 1.25 per cent at 526.04 points. OIFC, up 6.25 per cent, was the top gainer while National Aluminium, down 9.91 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Al Anwar Investment were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 1,032 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR3.38 million, with more than 22.28 million shares changing hands. Out of 43 traded stocks, 13 advanced, 19 declined and 11 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR393,000 while Omani investors were net buyers for OMR290,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR104,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,675.81 points, down by 0.47 per cent. Al Sharqiya Investments, Muscat Finance, National Bank of Oman, Sohar International Bank, and Ominvest were up 2.53 per cent, 2.38 per cent, 2.03 per cent, 1.12 per cent, and 0.67 per cent respectively. Al Batinah Development, Vision Insurance, Al Anwar Investment, Al Madina Investments, and Al Madina Takaful were down 9.84 per cent, 8.54 per cent, 6.82 per cent, 4.55 per cent, and 3.33 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,908.41 points, up 0.89 per cent. Oman Cables, Al Jazeera Steels, Galfar Engineering, and Raysut Cement were up 5.19 per cent, 4.33 per cent, 4.08 per cent, and 2.28 per cent respectively. National Aluminum Products, Oman Cement, Al Maha Ceramics, and Dhofar Cattle Feed were down 9.91 per cent, 3.32 per cent, 2.91 per cent, and 2.17 per cent, respectively.

Services index was down by 0.39 per cent before closing at 1,546.00 points. OIFC and Renaissance Services were up 1.25 per cent, and 1.06 per cent respectively. Ooredoo Oman, Al Suwadi Power, Sharqiya Desalination, Omantel, and Oman National Engineering were down 4.98 per cent, 3.39 per cent, 2.42 per cent, 1.58 per cent, and 1.11 per cent respectively.