MSX index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,084.28 points, down by 0.08 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.35 per cent at 502.52 points.

Oman Fisheries, up 9.26 per cent, was the top gainer while, OIFC Bonds, down 5.88 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Taageer Finance were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 492 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.53 million, with more than 13.4 million shares changing hands. Out of 40 traded securities, 7 advanced, 16 declined and 17 remained unchanged. At the session close, domestic investors were net buyers for OMR222,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR116,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR106,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6489.15 points, down by 0.42 per cent. Prices of Vision Insurance, Sohar International Bank, Muscat Finance, Ahli Bank, and OMINVEST were up by 7.61 per cent, 0.93 per cent, 0 per cent, 0 per cent, and 0 per cent respectively. Prices of Al Anwar Investment, Al Sharqia Investment, United Finance, Bank Muscat, and Al Madina Takaful were down by 3.61 per cent, 2.13 per cent, 1.54 per cent, 1.15 per cent, and 1.04 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 5723.83 points, down by 0.08 per cent. Prices of Oman Fisheries, Oman Cables Industry, Al Maha Ceramics, Raysut Cement, and Jazeera Steel Products were up by 9.26 per cent, 0 per cent, 0 per cent, 0 per cent, and 0 per cent respectively. Prices of Construction Materials, National Aluminium, A'Saffa Foods, Oman Cement, and Oman Flour Mills were down by 4.76 per cent, 4.04 per cent, 2 per cent, 1.7 per cent, and 0.57 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.35 per cent before closing at 1634.78 points. Prices of Sharqiyah Desalination, Muscat Desalination, Oman Telecom, OIFC, and Ooredoo were up by 8.33 per cent, 4.12 per cent, 2.56 per cent, 1.28 per cent, and 0 per cent respectively. Prices of Oman National Engineering, Renaissance Services, Al Batinah Hotels, United Power - Preferential Shares, and United Power were down by 3.33 per cent, 1.35 per cent, 0 per cent, 0 per cent, and 0 per cent respectively.