MSX index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,966.75 points, down 0.08 per cent from the previous close. The Shariah Index ended down by 0.71 per cent at 588.29 points.

National Aluminium Products, up 5.67 per cent, was the top gainer while Oman Education & Training, down 8.33 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of OIFC was 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 786 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.87 million, with more than 18.71 million shares changing hands. Out of 47 traded securities, 13 advanced, 16 declined and 18 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR481,000 while local investors were net buyers for OMR344,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR137,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,321.78 points, up 0.01 per cent. Prices of United Finance, Oman Qatar Insurance, Sohar International Bank, Al Sharqia Investment, and Al Omaniya Financial Services were up by 1.70 per cent, 1.27 per cent, 1.09 per cent, 0.99 per cent, and 0.86 per cent respectively. Prices of Al Anwar Investment, Global Financial Investments, Oman & Emirates Investment, and HSBC Bank Oman were down by 1.67 per cent, 1.43 per cent, 1.32 per cent, and 1.06 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5,961.66 points, down 0.09 per cent. Prices of National Aluminium, Dhofar Cattle Feed, and Al Maha Ceramics were up by 5.67 per cent, 5 per cent, and 0.86 per cent respectively. Prices of Oman Cables Industry and Al Anwar Ceramics were down by 2.00 per cent, and 0.88 per cent respectively.

Services Index was down by 0.49 per cent before closing at 1,704.36 points. Prices of Sharqiyah Desalination, National Gas, OIFC, Muscat Desalination, and Oman National Engineering were up by 3.45 per cent, 2.78 per cent, 2.31 per cent, 1.22 per cent, and 1.08 per cent respectively. Prices of Oman Education & Training, Phoenix Power, Al Suwadi Power, Al Maha Marketing, and Sembcorp Salalah were down by 8.33 per cent, 2.17 per cent, 1.92 per cent, 1.54 per cent, and 1.24 per cent respectively.