MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,942.16 points, up 0.18 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up by 0.25 per cent at 585.32 points.

Oman Education & Training, up 1.30 per cent, was the top gainer while Muscat Finance, down 3.33 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of HSBC Bank Oman 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 332 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1 million, with more than 6.6 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded securities, 8 advanced, 15 declined and 16 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR69,000 while local investors were net sellers for OMR63,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR7,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,273 points, up 0.20 per cent. Prices Vision Insurance, Bank Nizwa, Ahli Bank and Bank Muscat were up 1.28 per cent, 1.08 per cent, 0.93 per cent and 0.45 per cent respectively. Muscat Finance, Taageer Finance, Al Sharqia Investment, Global Investment Holding and Al Anwar Investment were down 3.33 per cent, 2.56 per cent, 2.04 per cent, 1.49 per cent and 0.88 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,038.20 points, down 0.22 per cent. Raysut Cement was the only gainer by 0.38 per cent. Galfar Engineering, National Aluminum Product, Jazeera Steel Product and Oman Cement were down 2.53 per cent, 1.34 per cent, 0.53 per cent and 0.44 per cent respectively.

Services Index was down by 0.06 per cent before closing at 1,688.66 points. Oman Education & Training, OIFC and Omantel were up 1.30 per cent, 0.70 per cent and 0.53 per cent respectively. National Gas, SMN Power Holding, Dhofar Generating, Oman National Engineering and Musandam Power were down 2.10 per cent, 1.59 per cent, 1.57 per cent, 1.08 per cent and 0.61 per cent respectively.