Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,720.89 points, down 0.09 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.48 per cent at 525.95 points.

Oman Cables Industry, up 9.60 per cent, was the top gainer while Al Madina Investment, down 4.35 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Galfar Engineering were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded.

A total number of 968 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR6 million, with more than 21.5 million shares changing hands. Out of 50 traded stocks, 12 advanced, 11 declined and 27 remained unchanged. At the session close, Local investors were net sellers for OMR358,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR272,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR86,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,754.62 points, down by 0.11 per cent. Al Batinah Development, Al Sharqia Investment and Al Omaniya Financial Services were up 6.67 per cent, 3.57 per cent and 1.18 per cent respectively. Al Madina Investment, Oman & Qatar Insurance, Takaful Oman, Bank Nizwa and Ominvest were down 4.35 per cent, 2.17 per cent, 1.79 per cent, 1.06 per cent and 0.65 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5,146.25 points, up 2.36 per cent. Oman Cables Industry, Jazeera Steel Product, Voltamp Energy, Galfar Engineering and National Aluminum Product were up 9.60 per cent, 7.59 per cent, 4.52 per cent, 3.85 per cent and 1.82 per cent respectively. Al Anwar Ceramic was the only loser by 0.61 per cent.

Services Index was down by 0.20 per cent before closing at 1,578.48 points. Al Batinah Power and Renaissance Service were up 3.70 per cent and 2.05 per cent respectively. Oman Investment & Financials, Al Jazeera Services, National Gas and Sembcorp Salalah were down 3.81 per cent, 2.52 per cent, 1.46 per cent and 1.25 per cent respectively.