MSX index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,044.79 points, down 0.05 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended down 0.24 per cent at 589.66 points. Oman Oil Marketing, up 9.66 per cent, was the top gainer while Salalah Mills, down 7.81 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Madina Takaful were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while National Aluminum Product was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 882 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.8 million, with more than 20 million shares changing hands. Out of 59 traded stocks, 20 advanced, 12 declined and 27 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR52,000 while Local investors were net buyers for OMR29,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR23,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,424.88 points, up 0.12 per cent. Oman & Emirates Holding, Oman Arab Bank, Al Madina Investment, Global Investment Holding and Al Omaniya Financial Services were up 7.69 per cent, 4.57 per cent, 4.17 per cent, 3.33 per cent and 2.42 per cent respectively. Muscat Finance, Sohar International Bank and Al Sharqia Investment were down 1.64 per cent, 1.03 per cent and 0.98 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5,968.24 points, up 0.26 per cent. National Aluminum Product, Oman Cables Industry, Voltamp Energy and Raysut Cement were up 7.35 per cent, 5.05 per cent, 1.33 per cent and 0.69 per cent. Salalah Mills, Jazeera Steel Product, Al Maha Ceramic and Al Anwar Ceramic were down 7.81 per cent, 1.04 per cent, 0.56 per cent and 0.42 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.10 per cent before closing at 1,709.95 points. Oman Oil Marketing, Muscat Gases, Sharqiyah Desalination, Renaissance Services and Oman Investment & Financials were up 9.66 per cent, 5.71 per cent, 4.35 per cent, 2.48 per cent and 0.91 per cent respectively. Dhofar Generating, Al Kamel Power, National Gas, Al Suwadi Power and Ooredoo were down 6.43 per cent, 3.61 per cent, 2.55 per cent, 1.82 per cent and 0.49 per cent respectively.