MSX index ends lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,833.15 points, down by 0.42 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.07 per cent at 489.27 points.

Al Batinah Development Company, up 8.70 per cent, was the top gainer while Voltamp Energy, down 8.40 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of SMN Power Holding 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 321 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.09 million, with more than 10.48 million shares changing hands. Out of 45 traded securities, 13 advanced, 12 declined, and 20 remained unchanged. At the session close, domestic investors were net sellers for OMR39,000 while foreign investors were net buyers for OMR37,000, followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR2,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 7,828.86 points, down 0.26 per cent. Prices of Al Batinah Development Company, Oman Arab Bank, Global Financial Investments, Ahli Bank and Al Madina Takaful were up by 8.70 per cent, 1.72 per cent, 1.61 per cent, 1.18 per cent, 1.10 per cent respectively. Prices of National Bank Oman, United Finance and Bank Nizwa were up by 3.57 per cent, 1.56 per cent, 1.00 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,073.83 points, down 0.17 per cent. Prices of Gulf International Chemicals, Raysut Cement and Galfar Engineering were up by 2.67 per cent, 2.36 per cent and 0.48 per cent respectively. Prices of Voltamp Energy, Oman Fisheries, Gulf Mushroom Products and Oman Cement were up by 8.40 per cent, 3.33 per cent, 2.72 per cent and 0.67 per cent respectively.

Services Index was down by 0.52 per cent before closing at 1,735.44 points. Prices of SMN Power Holding, Barka Desalination, Dhofar Generating and Oman National Engineering were up by 8.16 per cent, 6.06 per cent, 4.55 per cent and 0.83 per cent respectively. Prices of Phoenix Power, Muscat Desalination, Renaissance Services, National Gas and Muscat Gases were up by 3.39 per cent, 3.06 per cent, 2.27 per cent, 1.84 per cent and 1.82 per cent respectively.