Muscat bourse falls amid thin volumes

Muscat: Amid low volumes, the MSM30 Index declined by 0.22 per cent to end the session at 5,513.52. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 799.57 points, down by 0.25 per cent. Al Madina Takaful was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat was most active turnover-wise. Oman & Emirates Holding, up by 4.35 per cent, was the top gainer while United Finance was the top loser, down by 9.29 per cent.
As many as 497 trades were executed on Sunday, generating a turnover of OMR2.18 million with 10.59 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded securities, 7 advanced, 17 declined, and 15 remained unchanged. Foreign investors stayed net buyers for OMR208,000 while Omani investors were net sellers for OMR175,000 followed by GCC and Arab investors for OMR33,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index ended at 8,055.71 points, down by 0.12 per cent. Oman & Emirates Holding, HSBC Bank and National Bank of Oman increased by 4.35 per cent, 1.49 per cent and 0.44 per cent, respectively. United Finance, Al Madina Takaful, Bank Sohar, Al Madina Investments and Al Izz Bank declined by 9.29 per cent, 2.06 per cent, 1.97 per cent, 1.49 per cent and 1.45 per cent, respectively.
Industrial Index retreated by 0.65 per cent to finish at 7,452.55 points. Construction Materials and National Detergent gained 3.57 per cent and 1.81 per cent, respectively. Oman Fisheries, Al Maha Ceramics, Gulf International Chemicals, Al Anwar Ceramics and Oman Flour Mills declined by 4.20 per cent, 2.02 per cent, 1.64 per cent, 1.37 per cent and 0.43 per cent, respectively.
Services Index closed on a negative note at 2,821.10 points, down by 0.44 per cent. Port Services and Oman Telecommunications Company increased by 0.88 per cent and 0.38 per cent, respectively. Phoenix Power and OIFC lost 3.55 per cent and 1.37 per cent, respectively.