MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,965.50 points, up 0.84 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.12 per cent at 565.37 points.

Oman Cables Industry, up 7.39 per cent, was the top gainer while Al Hassan Engineering, down 16.67 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of United Finance 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 1,195 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR3.4 million, with more than 27 million shares changing hands.

Out of 48 traded stocks, 26 advanced, 9 declined and 13 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR449,000 while local investors were net buyers for OMR367,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR82,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,230.53 points, up 1.23 per cent.  Oman & Emirates Holding, Al Anwar Investment, Vision Insurance, United Finance and Muscat Finance were up 7.27 per cent, 5.10 per cent, 4.35 per cent, 4.29 per cent and 3.92 per cent respectively. Taageer Finance was the only loser by 1.35 per cent.

Industrial Index closed at 5,649.40 points, up 1.13 per cent.  Oman Cables Industry, Gulf International Chemical, National Aluminum Product, Al Maha Ceramic and Jazeera Steel Product were up 7.39 per cent, 5.77 per cent, 1.47 per cent, 1.18 per cent and 0.53 per cent respectively. Al Hassan Engineering, Raysut Cement and Al Anwar Ceramic were down 16.67 per cent, 1.35 per cent and 1.27 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.78 per cent closing at 1,666.67 points. Al Suwadi Power, Sembcorp Salalah, Majan College, Oman National Engineering and Phoenix Power were up 5.45 per cent, 3.80 per cent, 3.45 per cent, 2.20 per cent and 2.13 per cent respectively. SMN Power Holding, Al Jazeera Services and National Gas were down 3.03 per cent, 1.44 per cent and 0.66 per cent respectively.