MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,036.92 points, up 0.08 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.15 per cent at 549.56 points.

National Aluminum Product was the top gainer, up by 3.47 per cent. While National Finance, down 6.25 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Sohar International Bank was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while OIFC were the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 347 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.5 million, with more than 14.6 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded securities, 12 advanced, 11 declined and 15 remained unchanged. At the session close, Local investors were net sellers for OMR41,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR35,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR6,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,374 points, up 0.58 per cent. Prices of Al Anwar Investment, Madina Takaful, Ominvest, National Bank Oman and Sohar International Bank were up 3.09 per cent, 2.11 per cent, 1.95 per cent, 1.08 per cent and 0.95 per cent respectively. National Finance, HSBC Bank Oman, Muscat Finance and Bank Nizwa were up 6.25 per cent, 2.15 per cent, 1.69 per cent and 1.05 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,177.53 points, up 0.13 per cent. Prices of NAPI, Oman Cables Industry, Galfar Engineering and Oman Cement were up 3.47 per cent, 2.97 per cent, 1.30 per cent and 0.85 per cent respectively. Al Anwar Ceramics and Al Maha Ceramics were down 2.30 per cent and 1.16 per cent respectively.

Services Index down by 0.08 per cent before closing at 1,650.89 points. Phoenix Power and OIFC were up 2.04 per cent and 0.71 per cent respectively. Dhofar Generating, Muscat Desalinate, Al Maha Marketing and Ooredoo were down 1.30 per cent, 1.27 per cent, 1.16 per cent, 1.08 per cent and 0.74 per cent respectively.