Oman's share index ends marginally higher

The MSM30 index closed at 3,544.58 points, up 0.68 per cent from previous close. The Sharia index ended lower by 0.01 per cent at 517.45 points. Salalah Mills, up 7.45 per cent was the top gainer while Al Maha Ceramics, down 5.41 per cent was the top loser. Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.
A total number of 352 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating turnover of OMR1.2 million, with more than 18.4 million shares changing hands. Out of 36 traded stocks, 19 advanced, 7 declined and 10 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net buyers for OMR304,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR253,000 followed by local investors for OMR51,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index closed at 5,577.46 points, up 0.84 per cent. Oman & Emirates, Alizz Islamic Bank, HSBC Oman, Al Sharqia Investment and Al Madina Takaful were up by 6.98 per cent, 5.45 per cent, 3.33 per cent, 2.99 per cent and 2.94 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index closed at 4,086.34 points, up 0.70 per cent. Salalah Mills, Oman Cement, Al Anwar Ceramic and Oman Flour Mills were up by 7.45 per cent, 3.03 per cent, 1.48 per cent and 1.01 per cent respectively. Al Maha Ceramics, Raysut Cement and Gulf International were down by 5.41 per cent, 1.68 per cent and 0.97 per cent respectively.
Services index was up 2.48 per cent before closing at 1,612.54 points. Sembcorp Salalah, Renaissance Service, Oman National Engineering, Al Jazeera Service and Omantel were up by 2.83 per cent, 0.96 per cent, 0.93 per cent, 0.63 per cent and 0.63 per cent respectively. Phoenix Power, Al Suwadi Power, Al Batinah Power and Ooredoo were down by 3.64 per cent, 1.79 per cent, 1.75 per cent and 0.49 per cent respectively.