MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,954.46 points, up 0.17 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.24 per cent at 576.87 points.

Oman & Qatar Insurance was the top gainer, up by 2.38 per cent, while Oman United Insurance, down 4.44 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of National 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 232 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.6 million, with more than 7 million shares changing hands. Out of 36 traded securities, 9 advanced, 11 declined and 16 remained unchanged. At the session close, Local investors were net sellers for OMR230,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR220,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR11,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,250 points, up 0.05 per cent. Prices of Oman & Qatar Insurance, Bank Muscat, Al Anwar Investment, Bank Dhofar and National Bank Oman were up 2.38 per cent, 2.17 per cent, 0.89 per cent, 0.85 per cent and 0.53 per cent respectively. Oman United Insurance, Global Investment Holding, Oman & Emirates Holding, Bank Nizwa and Ominvest were down 4.44 per cent, 1.52 per cent, 1.37 per cent, 1.05 per cent and 0.64 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,242.42 points, down 0.15 per cent. The price of Oman Cement was the only gainer 0.44 per cent. Jazeera Steel Product and Al Maha Ceramics were down 1.68 per cent and 0.37 per cent respectively.

Services Index was down by 0.04 per cent before closing at 1,692.09 points. Phoenix Power, OIFC and Ooredoo were up 2.17 per cent, 0.71 per cent and 0.52 per cent respectively. Al Jazeera Services, Al Maha Marketing, National Gas and Renaissance Services were down 1.55 per cent, 1.14 per cent, 0.70 per cent and 0.43 per cent respectively.