MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,952.13 points, up 0.53 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.55 per cent at 577.35 points.

Oman Fisheries was the top gainer, up by 19.92 per cent. While Asaffa Foods, down 9.95 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Al Anwar Investment 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 799 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.5 million, with more than 15.4 million shares changing hands. Out of 46 traded securities, 26 advanced, 4 declined and 16 remained unchanged.

At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR147,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR109,000 followed by local investors for OMR38,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,256 points, up 0.16 per cent. Prices of Al Madina Investment, Muscat Finance, Oman & Emirates Holding, Al Anwar Investment and Al Sharqia Investment were up 7.14 per cent, 5.26 per cent, 4.17 per cent, 3.60 per cent and 3.13 per cent respectively. Oman United Insurance and Ominvest were down 2.63 per cent and 0.64 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,256.94 points, up 0.86 per cent. Prices of Oman Fisheries, Al Anwar Ceramics, National Aluminum Product, Galfar Engineering and Al Maha Ceramics were up 7.89 per cent, 3.56 per cent, 3.45 per cent, 2.63 per cent and 1.96 per cent respectively. A'Saffa Foods and Oman Flour Mills were down 9.95 per cent and 1.55 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 1.13 per cent before closing at 1,697.54 points. National Gas, Al Maha Marketing, Oman National Engineering, OIFC and Al Batinah Power were up 4.32 per cent, 3.57 per cent, 3.19 per cent, 2.86 per cent and 2.00 per cent respectively.