MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,006.64 points, up 0.49 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up by 0.49 per cent at 535.40 points.

Sohar International Bank up 3.74 per cent, was the top gainer 3.74 per cent while, Muscat Desalinate down 9.18 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Sohar International Bank were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.

A total number of 356 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.87 million, with more than 14.94 million shares changing hands. Out of 46 traded securities, 10 advanced, 14 declined and 22 remained unchanged. At the session close, domestic investors were net buyers for OMR217,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR197,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR20,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,410.97 points, up 0.48 per cent. Sohar International Bank, Oman Arab Bank, National Bank Oman, Ominvest and Bank Muscat were up 3.74 per cent, 2.47 per cent, 1.08 per cent, 0.65 per cent and 0.41 per cent respectively. The Oman Emirates Holding, Ahli Bank and Al Anwar Investment were down 4.41 per cent, 2.65 per cent and 1.04 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,037.06 points, up 0.26 per cent. Al Maha Ceramics, Galfar Engineering and Oman Flour Mills were up 3.60 per cent, 1.37 per cent and 1.03 per cent respectively. Al Anwar Ceramics, Asaffa Foods and Jazeera Steel Product were down 2.56 per cent, 1.49 per cent and 0.56 per cent respectively.

Services Index was down by 1.10 per cent before closing at 1,579.82 points. OIFC and Ooredoo were up 0.71 per cent and 0.57 per cent respectively. Muscat Desalinate, SMN Power Holding, Al Maha Marketing, Sharqiyah Desalinate and Al Suwadi Power were down 9.18 per cent, 8.51 per cent, 8.33 per cent, 4.27 per cent and 4.00 per cent respectively.