MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,734.87 points, up 0.46 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.36 per cent at 527.66 points.

Muscat Finance, up 4.65 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 while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 1,057 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR4 million, with more than 32.7 million shares changing hands. Out of 48 traded stocks, 18 advanced, 6 declined and 24 remained unchanged. At the session close, Local investors were net buyers for OMR1 million while GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR763,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR364,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,792.43 points, up by 0.66 per cent. Muscat Finance, Al Omaniya Financial Service, Al Sharqia Investment, National Life Insurance and United Finance were up 4.65 per cent, 4.44 per cent, 3.53 per cent, 2.63 per cent and 2.27 per cent respectively. Al Madina Investment and Global Investment Holding were down 4.35 per cent and 1.96 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5,202.44 points, up 0.06 per cent. Al Maha Ceramic, Oman Cement, Galfar Engineering, National Aluminum Product and Al Anwar Ceramic were up 4.44 per cent, 2.18 per cent, 1.79 per cent, 0.90 per cent and 0.61 per cent respectively. Oman Cables Industry was the only loser by 3.38 per cent.

Services Index was up by 0.13 per cent before closing at 1,579.67 points. Phoenix Power and Oman Investment & Financial were up 2.13 per cent and 0.98 per cent respectively. Dhofar Generating, Al Suwadi Power and National Gas were down 1.94 per cent, 1.69 per cent and 0.74 per cent respectively.