MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,216.80 points, up 0.68 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up by 0.33 per cent at 526.20 points.

Gulf International Chemical up 3.23 per cent, was the top gainer while, Muscat Desalinate down 3.33 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of OIFC were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.

A total number of 414 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.72 million, with more than 11 million shares changing hands. Out of 35 traded securities, 17 advanced, 5 declined and 13 remained unchanged. At the session close, Domestic investors were net buyers for OMR120,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR89,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR31,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,706.59 points, up 0.58 per cent. Al Sharqia Investment, Bank Nizwa, Sohar International Bank, Global Investment Holding and Taageer Finance were up 2.22 per cent, 2.04 per cent, 1.72 per cent, 1.61 per cent and 1.37 per cent respectively. Takaful Oman and Madina Takaful were down 1.41 per cent and 1.04 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,047.48 points, up 0.38 per cent. Gulf International Chemicals, Al Maha Ceramics, Jazeera Steel Product, Al Anwar Ceramics and Galfar Engineering were up 3.23 per cent, 2.76 per cent, 2.15 per cent, 1.39 per cent and 1.33 per cent respectively. Raysut Cement was the only loser by 2.95 per cent.

Services Index was up by 0.43 per cent before closing at 1,643.98 points. National Gas, Renaissance Services, Oman National Engineering, OIFC and Muscat Gases were up 3.13 per cent, 2.83 per cent, 2.13 per cent, 2.01 per cent and 1.22 per cent respectively. Muscat Desalinate and Al Suwadi Power were down 3.33 per cent and 2.04 per cent respectively.