MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,186.64 points, up 0.18 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up by 0.48 per cent at 529.02 points.

Madina Takaful, up 4.26 per cent, was the top gainer while, Voltamp Energy down 2.61 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of OIFC were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Bank Muscat were most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 295 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.62 million, with more than 7.45 million shares changing hands. Out of 35 traded securities, 9 advanced, 9 declined and 17 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR512,000 while Omani investors were net buyers for OMR506,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR6,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,674.29 points, up 0.22 per cent. Madina Takaful, Ahli Bank, Global Investment Holding, Bank Nizwa and Al Omaniya Financial Services were up 4.26 per cent, 1.72 per cent, 1.61 per cent, 1.03 per cent and 0.77 per cent respectively. HSBC Bank Oman, Muscat Finance and Al Anwar Investment were down 1.92 per cent, 1.72 per cent and 1.06 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,033.91 points, down 0.23 per cent. Voltamp Energy, NAPI, Al Anwar Ceramics, Al Maha Ceramics and Raysut Cement were down 2.61 per cent, 2.22 per cent, 0.46 per cent, 0.46 per cent and 0.42 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.20 per cent before closing at 1,635.58 points.  OIFC, Oman National Engineering and Omantel were up 2.07 per cent, 1.08 per cent and 0.52 per cent respectively. Renaissance Services were the only loser by 0.47 per cent.