Oman's share index ends marginally lower

As more stocks traded ex-dividend, the MSM30 index closed at 3,467.40 points, down 0.36 per cent. The Sharia Index closed down 0.22 per cent at 504.41 points. Raysut Cement, up 8.47 per cent, was the top gainer while Oman Cement, down 9.54 per cent was the top loser. Oman United Insurance was the most active in terms of number of shares traded as well as turnover.
A total number of 259 trades were executed during the day's trading session, which was cut short to 2 hours in a bid to fight against the novel coronavirus. The turnover was OMR668,000, with more than 3.79 million shares changing hands. Out of 24 traded stocks, 5 advanced, 8 declined and 11 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR175,000 while domestic investors were net buyers for OMR150,000 followed by GCC and Arab investors for OMR25,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index closed at 5,517.35 points, down 0.04 per cent. Oman United Insurance, National Bank of Oman, and Al Anwar Holding were up by 3.7 per cent, 3.13 per cent, and 1.59 per cent respectively. Oman & Emirates Investment Holding, Sohar International Bank, and Al Sharqia Investment Holding were down by 3.85 per cent, 2.41 per cent, and 1.67 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index closed at 3,970.40 points, down 0.66 per cent. Raysut Cement was the only gainer and was up 8.47 per cent. Oman Cement, Oman Fisheries, and Galfar Engineering were down by 9.54 per cent, 5.81 per cent, and 2.22 per cent respectively.
Services index was down 0.47 per cent before closing at 1,675.54 points. Omantel was the only gainer today and was up 1.07 per cent. OIFC and Ooredoo were down by 9.28 per cent, and 2.56 per cent respectively.