Local selling pulls down Muscat bourse

Muscat: Local selling across the board led the MSM30 index to end lower by 0.73 per cent at 5,005.7 points. The MSM Sharia Index also was down by 0.67 per cent to close at 736.05 points. Oman Fisheries was the leader in terms of volume while Oman Telecommunications Company was the most active in terms of turnover. National Aluminum, which closed higher by 5.84 per cent, was the top gainer while the top loser Oman Fisheries closed 5.22 per cent lower, compared to Monday’s level.
During the session, a total of 602 trades were executed, generating turnover of OMR2.01 million with more than 9.35 million shares changing hands. Out of 30 traded securities, 2 advanced, 18 declined, and 10 remained unchanged. Omani investors continued to be net sellers for OMR126,000 worth of shares while GCC and Arab investors were net buyers for OMR118,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR8,000 worth of shares.
Financial index was down by 0.73 per cent today to close at 7489.64 points. Al Madina Takaful, Bank Sohar, Al Izz Bank and Al Sharqiya Investment declined by 2.78 per cent, 1.35 per cent, 1.32 per cent and 0.99 per cent, respectively.
Industrial Index closed at 6,746.30 points with loss of 0.68. National Aluminum was the only gainer in the sector and closed at OMR0.145. Oman Fisheries, Al Anwar Ceramics, Gulf International Chemicals and Galfar Engineering declined by 5.22 per cent, 3.03 per cent, 2.30 per cent and 1.33 per cent, respectively.
Services Sector Index was down 0.22 per cent to close at 2,455.48 points. Sembcorp Salalah was the only gainer in the sector and was up by 1.36 per cent to close at OMR0.225. Oman National Engineering, Ooredoo Oman, Omantel and Jazeira Services declined by 2.55 per cent, 1.38 per cent,1.32 per cent and 0.68 per cent, respectively.