Listless trading on Muscat bourse

Muscat: Shares on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) remained unchanged on listless trading. The MSM30 Index opened the week on a flat note to close at 5,365.16 points, unchanged from last week’s close. The MSM Sharia Index gained 0.09 per cent to finish at 855.14 points.
United Finance was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Al Anwar Ceramics, up by 1.33 per cent, was Sunday’s top gainer while Al Jazeera Steel was top loser, down by 3.47 per cent.
As many as 406 trades were executed on Sunday, generating a turnover of OMR3.29 million with 25.17 million shares changing hands. Out of 33 traded securities, five advanced, 14 declined and 14 remained unchanged.
Omani investors switched to net buyers to the tune of OMR100,000 worth of shares while foreign investors were net sellers at OMR83,000 followed by GCC and Arab investors, who sold shares amounting to OMR17,000.
Financial Index declined marginally by 0.05 per cent to close at 6,385.08 points. Al Anwar Holding, up by 1.24 per cent, was the sole sector gainer. Al Sharqia Investments, Gulf Investment Services, Oman United Insurance, Al Madina Investments and United Finance declined by 2.22 per cent, 2.17 per cent, 1.91 per cent, 1.85 per cent and 0.85 per cent, respectively.
Industrial Index had loss of 0.34 per cent to close at 6,737.32 points. Al Anwar Ceramics and Al Maha Ceramics gained 1.33 per cent and 1.05 per cent, respectively. Al Jazeera Steel, Galfar Engineering, Oman Fisheries, Voltamp Engineering and Oman Cement declined by 3.47 per cent, 2.94 per cent, 1.92 per cent, 1.38 per cent and 0.87 per cent, respectively.
Services Index ended on a stable note at 3,037.77 points, up by 0.02 per cent. Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) advanced 0.32 per cent to close at OMR1.570. OIFC and National Gas declined by 0.66 per cent and 0.51 per cent, respectively.