Muscat bourse falls amid thin volumes

Muscat: Amid very low trading volumes, the MSM 30 Index declined by 0.14 per cent to close at 5,848.21 points. The MSM Sharia Index ended at 888.54 points, down by 0.21 per cent.
Oman & Emirates Holding was the most active stock in terms of volume as well as turnover. Ominvest was Wednesday’s top gainer, up by 1.82 per cent while the top loser was Bank Nizwa with a loss of 2.56 per cent.
As many as 532 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating turnover of OMR2.12 million with 12.77 million shares changing hands. Out of 34 traded securities, three advanced, 12 declined and 19 remained unchanged. Arab and GCC investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR147,000 worth of shares. Foreign investors, who were net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR91,000 followed by Omani investors at OMR56,000.
Financial Index ended on a negative note at 7,485.49 points, down by 0.38 per cent. Ominvest, up by 1.82 per cent, was the only sector gainer. Bank Nizwa, Al Anwar Holding, Al Sharqia Investments, HSBC Bank and NBO declined by 2.56 per cent, 1.55 per cent, 1.42 per cent, 1.01 per cent and 0.79 per cent, respectively.
Industrial Sector Index retreated 0.34 per cent to close at 7,474.24 points. Al Jazeera Steel, Oman Fisheries and Galfar Engineering declined by 1.89 per cent, 1.61 per cent and 0.95 per cent, respectively.
Services sector Index remained flat at 3,200.74 points, down by 0.01 per cent. Al Suwadi Power and Oman Telecommunications Company gained by 1.54 per cent and 0.30 per cent, respectively. Renaissance Services declined by 1.77 per cent to close at OMR0.277.