MSX index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,056.89 points, down 0.51 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.56 per cent at 581.38 points.

Al Hassan Engineering, up 20.00%, was the top gainer while Oman Chlorine, down 6.12 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 754 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR3 million, with more than 20 million shares changing hands. Out of 60 traded stocks, 9 advanced, 27 declined and 24 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR430,000 while local investors were net buyers for OMR226,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR203,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,441.20 points, down 0.54 per cent. Oman & Qatar Insurance, Al Madina Investment, Arabia Falcon Insurance and Oman Arab Bank were up 9.02 per cent, 8.70 per cent, 6.09 per cent and 2.94 per cent respectively. Muscat Finance, United Finance, Taageer Finance, Al Sharqia Investment and Madina Takaful were down 4.76 per cent, 3.23 per cent, 2.47 per cent, 1.94 per cent and 1.94 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5,871.21 points, down 0.0651 per cent. Al Hassan Engineering and Voltamp Energy were up 20.00 per cent and 1.44 per cent respectively. Oman Chlorine, Galfar Engineering, National Aluminum Product, Al Maha Ceramic and Dhofar Cattle Feed were down 6.12 per cent, 3.57 per cent, 1.46 per cent, 1.12 per cent and 1.05 per cent respectively.

Services Index was down by 0.24 per cent before closing at 1,708.42 points. Muscat Desalination and Renaissance Services were up 2.22 per cent and 0.48 per cent respectively. Dhofar Generating, Oman National Engineering, Oman Education Training, Majan College and Oman Investment & Financials were down 3.45 per cent, 3.19 per cent, 2.65 per cent, 2.00 per cent and 1.75 per cent respectively.