Oman stocks fall marginally

Muscat: Shares on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) edged down on selling pressure. The MSM30 Index remained stable with marginal retreat of 0.13 per cent to close at 5,412.28 points. MSM Shariah Index closed at 832.91 points, down 0.01 per cent.
Oman United Insurance was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Oman United Insurance remained the top gainer, up 8.64 per cent while Al Batinah Power was the top loser, down 1.95 per cent.
As many as 824 trades were executed on Sunday, generating a turnover of OMR2.83 million with 14.1 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded securities, 14 advanced, 9 declined and 16 remained unchanged. Arab and GCC investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR273,000 worth of shares, followed by Omani investors at OMR145,000. Foreign investors, who remained net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR418,000.
Financial Index gained 0.04 per cent to close at 6,747.51 points. Oman United Insurance, Global Financial Investment, United Finance, Al Anwar Holding and NBO increased 8.64 per cent, 4.55 per cent, 0.79 per cent, 0.55 per cent and 0.37 per cent respectively. Bank Muscat, Al Izz Bank, Bank Nizwa, HSBC Bank and Bank Sohar declined 1.78 per cent, 1.67 per cent, 1.41 per cent, 1 per cent and 0.61 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index ended positively at 6,573.20 points, up 0.22 per cent. Construction Materials, Galfar Engineering, Oman Flour Mills, Al Maha Ceramics and Gulf International Chemicals gained 3.33 per cent, 3.33 per cent, 2.33 per cent, 1.49 per cent and 1.35 per cent respectively. Al Jazeera Steel declined 1.39 per cent to close at OMR0.142.
Services Index stayed flat at 2,999.52 points, down 0.02%. Omantel, Ooredoo and Al Suwadi Power increased 0.98 per cent, 0.58 per cent and 0.50 per cent respectively. Al Batinah Power, OIFC and Phoenix Power declined 1.95 per cent, 0.99 per cent and 0.69 per cent respectively.