MSM records best trading in April

Muscat: The value of trading at the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) was the highest in April at OMR99.5 million compared to OMR96.4 million in March, OMR55 million in February and OMR52.9 million in January 2018.
In terms of volume, MSM saw an increase in the number of stocks traded to 628 million in April, compared to 480.8 million in March 2018. The number of transactions also rose to more than 18,000 compared to 16,000 in March.
The high volume and value of trading were supported by the remarkable activity of some stocks and the execution of certain transactions coupled with an increase in trading in securities and the sukuk market to more than OMR1 million compared to OMR85,000 in March 2018.
Ahlibank topped the list in terms of the value of trading with OMR24.1 million or 24.2 per cent of the total value, followed by Omantel with OMR11.5 million or 11.5 per cent and Bank Muscat with OMR9.3 million or 9.3 per cent.
The shares of 27 companies went up in April 2018 compared to 16 companies in March 2018. The number of gainer stocks, 45 in April 2018, was also higher than the number of loser stocks. It was the same figure in March 2018. The shares of listed companies in the follow-up market topped the list of gainers.
The stock of National Mineral Water rose by 53.8 per cent to close at 100 baisa compared to 65 baisa the previous month. The stock of Construction Materials Industry Company increased by 23 per cent to close at 32 baisa, the stock of Al Hassan Engineering Co. rose by 14.2 per cent to close at 40 baisa.
Dhofar Insurance stock recorded the biggest decline, by 48 per cent, to close at 104 baisas, followed by Oman Cables Industry Company stock by 21 per cent to close at 892 baisas, and United Energy Company by 20 per cent to close at 280 baisas.
The stocks decline pressured MSM30, which declined by 44 points to close at 4,729 points. The financial sector index was the only one to close high with 7,266 points, an increase by 145 points or 2 per cent. The other three sectoral indices decreased by three per cent. In terms of points, the industry index lost 226 points, the services index 80 and the Sharia market index 22 points.