Bank stocks prop up MSM index

Muscat: Supported by banking index, the MSM30 Index rose 0.45 per cent to close at 5,521.03 points. The MSM Sharia Index ended at 849.94 points, up by 0.53 per cent.
Al Anwar Holding remained the most active in terms of volume and turnover. The top gainer was Al Hassan Engineering, up by 7.02 per cent while Al Jazeera Steel was the top loser, with a loss of 2.22 per cent.
As many as 611 trades were executed on Sunday, generating turnover of OMR1.64 million with 8.9 million shares changing hands. Out of 37 traded securities, 19 advanced, four declined and 14 remained unchanged. Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR160,000 worth of shares while GCC and Arab investors were net sellers at OMR124,000 followed by foreign investors, who sold stocks amounting to OMR36,000.
Financial Index rallied 0.80 per cent to end at 7,249.48 points. NBO, Gulf Investment Services, Al Anwar Holding, Al Sharqia Investments and Oman & Emirates Holding increased by 3.07 per cent, 2.70 per cent, 2.37 per cent, 2.36 per cent and 1.63 per cent, respectively. Muscat Finance declined by 1.67 per cent to close at OMR0.118.
Industrial Index gained by 0.15 per cent to close at 7,183.13 points. Al Hassan Engineering, Al Anwar Ceramics, Galfar Engineering and Gulf International Chemicals gained by 7.02 per cent, 5.59 per cent, 1.11 per cent and 0.39 per cent. Al Jazeera Steel and Al Maha Ceramics lost 2.22 per cent and 1.64 per cent, respectively.
Services Index closed at 3,015.15 points, up by 0.25 per cent. Al Jazeera Services, Renaissance Services, Al Suwadi Power and Omantel increased by 4.81 per cent, 1.81 per cent, 1.08 per cent and 0.34 per cent, respectively. Port Services, down by 0.43 per cent, was the only loser..