MSX index ends lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,791.90 points, down by 0.42 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down by 0.00 per cent at 482.70 points. Dhofar Generating, up 10.00 per cent, was the top gainer while Oman Qatar Insurance, down 8.60 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of National Bank Oman were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.

A total number of 720 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.8 million, with more than 7.81 million shares changing hands. Out of 40 traded securities, 15 advanced, 10 declined, and 15 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR164,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR144,000, followed by domestic investors for OMR20,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 7,696.29 points, down 0.15 per cent. Prices of Al Sharqia Investment, Muscat Finance, Al Batinah Development Company, Al Anwar Investment and Global Financial Investments were up by 5.26 per cent, 3.33 per cent, 2.63 per cent, 2.33 per cent and 1.75 per cent respectively. Prices of Oman Qatar Insurance, Ominvest, United Finance and Bank Muscat were up by 8.60 per cent, 4.91 per cent, 1.61 per cent and 0.36 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,151.83 points, up 1.07 per cent. Prices of Oman Fisheries, Dhofar Cattle Feed, Oman Refreshment, Gulf International Chemicals and Raysut Cement were up by 9.41 per cent, 8.33 per cent, 7.41 per cent, 6.25 per cent and 3.57 per cent respectively. Prices of Galfar Engineering were up by 2.00 per cent.

Services Index was down by 0.61 per cent before closing at 1,694.27 points. Prices of Dhofar Generating, National Gas and Oman National Engineering were up by 10.00 per cent, 4.59 per cent and 1.87 per cent respectively. Prices of Sembcorp Salalah, Al Batinah Power and Barka Desalination were up by 3.70 per cent, 3.03 per cent and 0.71 per cent respectively.