Sluggish trend continues on Muscat bourse

Muscat: Amid dull trading activity, the MSM 30 Index ended the session at 5,680.15 points, down by 0.41 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index declined by 0.52 per cent to close at 871.25 points.
Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat led in turonver. Renaissance Services, up by 4.29 per cent was Wednesday’s top gainer while Al Anwar Holding was the top loser, down by 6.03 per cent.
As many as 639 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating turnover of OMR2.48 million with 9.82 million shares changing hands. Out of 35 traded securities, 6 advanced, 15 declined and 14 remained unchanged. Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR207,000 worth of shares, while foreign investors were net sellers at OMR131,000. Arab and GCC investors sold stocks amounting to OMR76,000.
Financial Index retreated 0.25 per cent to end at 7,391.25 points. Oman United Insurance, Gulf Investment Services, Al Madina Investments and HSBC Bank Oman increased by 3.87 per cent, 1.75 per cent, 1.69 per cent and 0.91 per cent, respectively. Al Anwar Holding, Bank Sohar, Al Izz Bank, Bank Dhofar and NBO declined by 2.76 per cent, 1.84 per cent, 1.47 per cent, 1.36 per cent and 1.26 per cent, respectively.
Industrial Index closed at 7,361.04 points with a strong loss of 0.80 per cent. Al Anwar Ceramics, Oman Cement, Al Jazeera Steel and Galfar Engineering declined by 6.03 per cent, 1.35 per cent, 1.24 per cent and 0.94 per cent, respectively.
Services Index was stable at 3,071.98 points, up by 0.04 per cent. Renaissance Services and Port Services gained 4.29 per cent and 3.90 per cent, respectively. Al Batinah Power, OIFC, Phoenix Power and Ooredoo Oman decreased by 1.53 per cent, 1.52 per cent, 0.69 per cent and 0.58 per cent, respectively.