MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,048.46 points, up 0.48 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.22 per cent at 598.63 points.

Oman REIT Fund, up 3.30 per cent, was the top gainer while Gulf International Chemical, down 3.10 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Bank Nizwa 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 571 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.5 million, with more than 10.6 million shares changing hands. Out of 47 traded stocks, 16 advanced, 6 declined and 25 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR140,000 while local investors were net sellers for OMR127,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR14,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,516.27 points, up 0.60 per cent. Bank Dhofar, Global Investment Holding, Ominvest, Taageer Finance and Dhofar Insurance were up 2.38 per cent, 1.52 per cent, 1.27 per cent, 1.18 per cent and 1.10 per cent respectively. Vision Insurance and Madina Takaful were down 1.10 per cent and 0.93 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index remained unchanged at 6,042.70 points, 0.00 per cent.  Galfar Engineering and National Aluminum Product were up 1.19 per cent and 0.59 per cent respectively. Gulf International Chemical and Oman Flour Mills were down 3.10 per cent and 0.50 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.36% before closing at 1,733.90 points. Shell Oman Marketing, Oman Investment & Financials and Renaissance Services were up 2.55%, 1.75% and 1.46% respectively. Al Jazeera Services and Muscat Gases were down 1.83% and 1.62% respectively.