MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,967.11 points, up 0.04 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.30 per cent at 567.06 points.

Al Maha Marketing, up 6.67 per cent, was the top gainer while Voltamp Energy, down 5.37 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Madina Takaful 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 1,164 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR 5 million, with more than 28 million shares changing hands. Out of 54 traded stocks, 25 advanced, 8 declined and 21 remained unchanged. At the session close, Domestic investors were net buyers for OMR680,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR675,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR4,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,241.86 points, up 0.18 per cent.  Muscat Finance, Oman & Emirates Holding, Taageer Finance, Oman Arab Bank and Al Batinah Development were up 3.77 per cent, 3.39 per cent, 2.74 per cent, 2.56 per cent and 2.44 per cent respectively. Ominvest was the only loser by 1.26 per cent.

Industrial Index closed at 5,620.26 points, down 0.52 per cent. Gulf International Chemical, Jazeera Steel Product and Raysut Cement were up 1.82 per cent, 1.06 per cent and 0.68 per cent respectively. Voltamp Energy, Oman Cables Industry, Al Anwar Ceramic, National Aluminum Product and Al Maha Ceramic were down 5.37 per cent, 2.02 per cent, 1.71 per cent, 0.72 per cent and 0.58 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 1.00 per cent closing at 1,683.39 points. Al Maha Marketing, Al Jazeera Services, Phoenix Power, Al Batinah Power and SMN Power Holding were up 6.67 per cent, 2.43 per cent, 2.08 per cent, 1.82 per cent and 1.56 per cent respectively. Renaissance Service and Oman Telecommunication were down 1.40 per cent and 1.00 per cent respectively.