Oman shares recover despite thin volume

Muscat: Although trading volumes remained low, the MSM30 Index gained 0.22 per cent to close at 5,763.38 points. The MSM Sharia index closed at 856.15 points, down by 0.22 per cent. Bank Dhofar the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Al Hassan Engineering, which was up by 2.08 per cent, was the top gainer while Al Anwar Ceramics was the top loser, down by 2.53 per cent.
As many as 439 trades were executed on Sunday, generating a turnover of OMR1.66 million with 7.86 million shares changing hands. Out of 36 traded securities, 6 advanced, 11 declined and 19 remained unchanged. Omani investors remained net buyers for OMR124,000 while GCC and Arab investors were net sellers for OMR70,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR54,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index advanced 0.31 per cent to finish at 7,958.93 points. Bank Dhofar, Bank Sohar, Oman United Insurance, Ahli Bank and Bank Muscat gained by 1.59 per cent, 1.27 per cent, 1.11 per cent, 0.52 per cent and 0.43 per cent, respectively. Al Madina Takaful, Muscat National Holding, Al Batinah Investment, Gulf Investment Services and HSBC Bank Oman declined by 2.13 per cent, 1.12 per cent, 1.01 per cent, 0.85 per cent and 0.79 per cent, respectively.
Industrial Index declined by 0.54 per cent to end at 7,556.41 points. Al Hassan Engineering, up by 2.08 per cent, was the sole gainer. Al Anwar Ceramics, Oman Fisheries, Al Maha Ceramics and Gulf International Chemicals declined by 2.53 per cent, 1.96 per cent, 1.61 per cent and 0.35 per cent, respectively.
Services Index gained 0.02 per cent to close at 3,022.30 points. There were no movers as of closing prices at the end of the trading session.