MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,025.88 points, up 0.48 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.89 per cent at 530.63 points.

Ahli Bank up 2.73 per cent was the top gainer while, Al Hassan Engineering down 25.00 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 415 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR3.08 million, with more than 16.21 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded securities, 6 advanced, 9 declined and 24 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR200,000 while domestic investors were net buyers for OMR179,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR21,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,446.17 points, up 0.56 per cent. Ahli Bank, Sohar International Bank, National Bank Oman and Bank Muscat were up 2.73 per cent, 2.70 per cent, 1.06 per cent and 0.81 per cent respectively. Al Sharqia Investment, Al Omaniya Financial Services, United Finance, Muscat Finance and Ominvest were down 5.56 per cent, 4.84 per cent, 1.96 per cent, 1.82 per cent and 0.65 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,002.37 points, down 0.56 per cent. Oman Cement was the only gainer by 0.43 per cent. Al Hassan Engineering, Al Maha Ceramics and Jazeera Steel Product were down 25.00 per cent, 5.02 per cent and 1.13 per cent respectively.
Services Index was down by 0.19 per cent before closing at 1,576.86 points. OIFC was the only gainer by 0.71 per cent. Al Jazeera Services was the only loser by 3.53 per cent.