MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,049.73 points, up 0.97 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.12 per cent at 558.91 points.

Construction Materials was the top gainer, up by 6.06 per cent, while Muscat Desalination, down 3.61 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Sohar International Bank was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.

A total number of 974 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR4.4 million, with more than 34.6 million shares changing hands. Out of 49 traded securities, 25 advanced, 7 declined and 17 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net sellers for OMR257,000 while GCC and Arab investors were net buyers for OMR164,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR93,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,417 points, up 1.08 per cent. Prices of Bank Dhofar, Vision Insurance, United Finance, Muscat Finance and Oman United Insurance were up 4.00 per cent, 4.00 per cent, 3.64 per cent, 3.51 per cent and 3.23 per cent respectively. Takaful Oman, National Finance, Al Omaniya Financial Services were down 2.17 per cent, 1.96 per cent and 0.88 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,145.99 points, up 0.76 per cent. Prices of Construction Materials, NAPI, Voltamp Energy, Oman Cables Industry and Galfar Engineering were up 6.06 per cent, 4.92 per cent, 3.25 per cent, 3.14 per cent and 2.60 per cent respectively. Al Maha Ceramics was the only loser by 0.38 per cent.

Services Index down by 0.02 per cent before closing at 1,660.82 points. Oman National Engineering, OIFC and National Gas were up 4.30 per cent, 2.26 per cent and 0.76 per cent respectively. Muscat Desalinate, Al Maha Marketing and Renaissance Services were down 3.61 per cent, 1.14 per cent and 0.44 per cent respectively.