Muscat Stock Exchange ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,138.28 points, up by 0.43 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.02 per cent at 464.52 points.

Al Anwar Investment, up 7.23 per cent, was the top gainer while, Oman REIT Fund, down 5.41 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Al Anwar Investment were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Bank Muscat were the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 725 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.46 million, with more than 14.68 million shares changing hands. Out of 48 traded securities, 18 advanced, 7 declined, and 23 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers of OMR97,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR92,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,593.75 points, up 0.56 per cent. Prices of Al Anwar Investment, Al Sharqia Investment, United Finance, Global Financial Investments and Bank Muscat were up by 7.23 per cent, 4.55 per cent, 4.49 per cent, 2.82 per cent and 1.89 per cent respectively. Financial Corporation was the only loser down by 1.25 per cent.

Industrial Index closed at 6,054.68 points, up 0.26 per cent. Prices of National Aluminium, Voltamp Energy, Construction Materials, Raysut Cement and Galfar Engineering were up by 6.52 per cent, 4.04 per cent, 3.49 per cent, 2.44 per cent and 0.92 per cent respectively. Prices of A'Saffa Foods, Al Anwar Ceramics, Oman Cement and Al Maha Ceramics were down by 0.63 per cent, 0.48 per cent, 0.4 per cent and 0.39 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.18 per cent before closing at 1,580.84 points. Prices of National Gas, Oman National Engineering, OIFC, Ooredoo and Oman Oil Marketing were up by 1.41 per cent, 0.94 per cent, 0.7 per cent, 0.63 per cent, and 0.5 per cent respectively. There were no losers for the day.