MSX index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 3,968.77 points, down 0.85 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.28 per cent at 531.62 points.

Oman Cables Industry, was the top gainer 7.81 per cent while, Dhofar Generating down 6.67 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Bank Nizwa were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.

A total number of 355 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.7 million, with more than 10.5 million shares changing hands. Out of 42 traded securities, 11 advanced, 9 declined and 22 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR777,000 while domestic investors were net buyers for OMR509,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR269,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,381.39 points, up 0.26 per cent. Sohar International Bank, Bank Muscat, Al Anwar Investment and Oman Arab Bank were up 1.90 per cent, 1.23 per cent, 1.05 per cent and 0.62 per cent respectively. Global Investment Holding, Bank Nizwa and National Bank Oman were down 3.23 per cent, 1.05 per cent and 0.53 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,038.73 points, up 0.87 per cent. Oman Cables Industry, Al Anwar Ceramics and Galfar Engineering and NAPI were up 7.81%, 2.63 per cent, 1.35 per cent, 0.72 per cent respectively. Raysut Cement was the only loser by 0.84 per cent.

Services Index was up by 0.08 per cent before closing at 1,590.15 points. Renaissance Services, SMN Power Holding and Al Batinah Power were up 4.76 per cent, 2.17 per cent and 2.08 per cent respectively. Dhofar Generating, Sohar Power, Ooredoo, Al Jazeera Services and Muscat Desalinate were down 6.67 per cent, 2.44 per cent, 2.33 per cent, 1.23 per cent and 1.03 per cent respectively.