MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,974.35 points, up 0.19 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended down by 0.22 per cent at 586.97 points. OIFC, up 8.27 per cent, was the top gainer while Takaful Oman, down 4.95 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of OIFC was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 872 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.99 million, with more than 23.07 million shares changing hands.

Out of 43 traded securities, 10 advanced, 7 declined and 26 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR223,000 while local investors were net buyers for OMR121,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR102,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,332.3 points, up 0.17 per cent. Prices of Al Sharqia Investment, Al Omaniya Financial Services, Bank Muscat, and Al Anwar Investment were up by 1.96 per cent, 1.71 per cent, 0.91 per cent, and 0.85 per cent respectively. Prices of Takaful Oman, and National Finance were down by 4.95 per cent and 1.85 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5,961.21 points, down 0.01 per cent. The price of National Aluminium Products was up by 2.69 per cent. Prices of Oman Flour Mills was down by 0.50 per cent.

Services Index was up by 0.88 per cent before closing at 1,719.34 points. Prices of OIFC, National Gas Company, Phoenix Power, Al Suwadi Power, and Muscat Desalination were up by 8.27 per cent, 4.05 per cent, 2.22 per cent, 1.96 per cent, and 1.21 per cent respectively. Prices of Renaissance Services, and Oman National Engineering were down by 1.35 per cent and 1.06 per cent respectively.