Financial stocks shine on Muscat bourse

Muscat: Buying in financial stocks led the MSM 30 Index to close on a positive note for the third straight session at 5,769.36 points, up by 0.36 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index gained 0.07 per cent to close at 887.58 points.
Bank Sohar was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat led in terms of turnover. Up by 1.82 per cent, Ominvest was the day’s top gainer while Oman Fisheries was the top loser, with a loss of 1.64 per cent.
As many as 563 trades were executed on Tuesday, generating a turnover of OMR2.34 million with 8.9 million shares changing hands. Out of 36 traded securities, 13 advanced, 4 declined and 19 remained unchanged. Foreign investors switched to net buyers to the tune of 145,000 worth of shares followed by GCC and Arab investors at OMR16,000. Omani investors, who were net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR161,000.
Financial Index advanced 0.36 per cent to end at 7,390.50 points. Ominvest, Bank Sohar, Oman United Insurance, Oman & Emirates Holding and Al Anwar Holding gained 1.82 per cent, 1.15 per cent, 1.06 per cent, 0.74 per cent and 0.53 per cent respectively. Al Izz Bank and Al Madina Takaful declined 1.54 per cent and 1.39 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index ended at 7,509.78 points, up 0.09 per cent. Galfar Engineering and Raysut Cement increased 0.96 per cent and 0.67 per cent respectively. Oman Fisheries and National Aluminium declined 1.64 per cent and 0.97 per cent respectively.
Services Index gained 0.21 per cent to finish at 3,134.93 points. Al Jazeera Services, Phoenix Power, Ooredoo, OIFC and Omantel increased 1.60 per cent, 0.68 per cent, 0.56 per cent, 0.52 per cent and 0.32 per cent respectively.