Muscat bourse gains amid thin trading

Muscat: Oman’s bourse witnessed a quiet trading session with prices continuing to trade in a narrow range. The MSM30 Index gained 0.08 per cent to close at 5,874.53 points, up by 0.08 per cent and the MSM Sharia Index closed at 890.95 points, down by 0.04 per cent.
Oman Fisheries was the most active stock in terms of volume while Al Jazeera Steel led in terms of turnover. Al Hassan Engineering, up by 4 per cent, was the top gainer while Al Madina Takaful was the top loser, down by 2.67 per cent.
As many as 605 trades were executed on Sunday, generating turnover of OMR1.66 million with 11.4 million shares changing hands. Out of 49 traded securities, 18 advanced, three declined and 28 remained unchanged. Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR105,000 worth of shares while foreign investors were net sellers at OMR88,000 followed by GCC and Arab investors, who sold shares amounting to OMR17,000.
Financial Index closed at 7,541.05 points, up by 0.35 per cent. Al Batinah Development and Investment, Oman & Emirates Holding, Gulf Investment Services, Global Financial Investment and Al Madina Investments gained by 3.26 per cent, 2.88 per cent, 2.52 per cent, 1.94 per cent and 1.61 per cent, respectively. Al Madina Takaful declined by 2.67 per cent to close at OMR0.073.
Industrial Index advanced by 0.26 per cent to close at 7,539.28 points. Al Hassan Engineering, Construction Materials, Al Jazeera Steel, Galfar Engineering and Oman Fisheries gained by 4 per cent, 3.23 per cent, 2.26 per cent, 1.92 per cent and 1.61 per cent, respectively. Al Anwar Ceramics, down by 1.75 per cent, was the only sector loser.
Services Index ended at 3,204.10 points, up by 0.05 per cent. Al Jazeera Services and Renaissance Services gained by 0.98 per cent and 0.36 per cent, respectively. Port Services, down by 0.85 per cent, was the only loser.