MSX index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,943.39 points, down 0.22 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up by 0.56 per cent at 580.53 points.

Oman & Qatar Insurance was the top gainer, up by 9.46 per cent, while Oman Oil Marketing, down 9.83 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Oman & Qatar Insurance was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Al Maha Ceramics was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 525 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR4 million, with more than 17 million shares changing hands. Out of 43 traded securities, 14 advanced, 12 declined and 17 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net sellers for OMR292,000 while foreign investors were net buyers for OMR173,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR119,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,256 points, up 0.16 per cent. Prices of Oman & Qatar Insurance, Taageer Finance, United Finance, Muscat Finance and Global Investment Holding were up 9.46 per cent, 3.95 per cent, 1.72 per cent, 1.67 per cent and 1.52 per cent respectively. Oman United Insurance, Oman & Emirates Holding, Sohar International Bank, Al Sharqia Investment and HSBC Bank Oman were down 2.70 per cent, 2.67 per cent, 2.15 per cent, 2.02 per cent and 1.09 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,256.94 points, up 0.86 per cent. Prices of Oman Cement, Al Anwar Ceramics and Al Maha Ceramics were up 2.25 per cent, 2.15 per cent and 1.92 per cent respectively. NAPI was the only loser by 0.67 per cent.

Services Index was up by 1.13 per cent before closing at 1,697.54 points. Renaissance Services, Al Jazeera Services and Oman National Engineering were up 3.52 per cent, 1.56 per cent and 1.03 per cent respectively. Oman Oil Marketing, National Gas, Omantel and OIFC were down 9.83 per cent, 2.07 per cent, 1.60 per cent and 1.39 per cent respectively.