MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,991.12 points, up 0.16 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up by 0.08 per cent at 565.52 points.

Bank Muscat was the top gainer, up by 16.67 per cent. While Raysut Cement, down 3.23 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Sohar International Bank was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Al Maha Marketing was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 293 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR4.1 million, with more than 19 million shares changing hands. Out of 42 traded securities, 59 advanced, 13 declined and 24 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net buyers for OMR147,000 while Local investors were net sellers for OMR145,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR2,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,295 points, up 0.12 per cent. Prices of Bank Muscat and Sohar International Bank were up 1.25 per cent and 1.08 per cent respectively. Al Anwar Investment, United Finance, Muscat Finance and Taageer Finance were down 2.94 per cent, 1.75 per cent, 1.67 per cent and 1.35 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,154.88 points, down 0.60 per cent. The price of Oman Cement was the only gainer by 0.84 per cent. Raysut Cement, Jazeera Steel Product, Galfar Engineering, NAPI and Al Anwar Ceramics were down 3.23 per cent, 3.11 per cent, 1.27 per cent, 0.78 per cent and 0.47 per cent respectively.

Services Index down by 0.23 per cent before closing at 1,674.55 points. Oman Education & Training and Al Maha Marketing were up 0.76 per cent and 0.55 per cent respectively. National Gas, Al Suwadi Power, OIFC and Oman National Engineering were down 2.92 per cent, 1.92 per cent, 1.44 per cent and 1.04 per cent respectively.