MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,019.83 points, up 0.98 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.09 per cent at 567.95 points.

Bank Dhofar, up 4.35 per cent, was the top gainer while Dhofar Cattle Feed, down 3.09 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 959 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR5 million, with more than 28 million shares changing hands. Out of 46 traded stocks, 23 advanced, 8 declined and 15 remained unchanged. At the session close, Domestic investors were net buyers for OMR905,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR820,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR85,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,353.25 points, up 1.27 per cent. Bank Dhofar, Sohar International Bank, Oman & Emirates Holding, National Life Insurance and United Finance were up 4.35 per cent, 4.30 per cent, 3.33 per cent, 2.00 per cent and 1.92 per cent respectively. Bank Nizwa, Al Sharqia Investment and Al Anwar Investment were down 1.03 per cent, 0.98 per cent and 0.94 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5,663.18 points, down 0.02 per cent. Gulf International Chemical, Oman Fisheries, Oman Cement and Al Maha Ceramics were up 3.31 per cent, 2.50 per cent, 0.81 per cent and 0.58 per cent respectively. Dhofar Cattle Feed, Al Anwar Ceramic and National Aluminum Product were down 3.09 per cent, 1.71 per cent and 0.74 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.29 per cent closing at 1,689.22 points. Al Maha Marketing, SMN Power Holding, Oman Investment & Financials, Musandam Power and Shell Oman Marketing were up 4.29 per cent, 1.54 per cent, 0.95 per cent, 0.64 per cent and 0.50 per cent respectively. Sembcorp Salalah and Al Jazeera Services were down 2.41 per cent and 0.47 per cent respectively.