Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,614.64 points, down 0.19 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended down 0.12 per cent at 514.70 points. National Aluminium, up 6.98 per cent was the top gainer while United Finance, down 9.23 per cent, was the top loser. National Bank of Oman was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and also was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 407 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR0.9 million, with more than 6.7 million shares changing hands. Out of 45 traded stocks, 8 advanced, 11 declined and 26 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net buyers for OMR101,000 while GGC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR70,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR32,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,833.24 points, up by 0.01 per cent. Oman United Insurance, Oman & Emirates Investment, National Bank of Oman and HSBC Oman were up by 2.63 per cent, 2.22 per cent, 1.80 per cent, and 1.10 per cent respectively. United Finance, Ahli Bank, Vision Insurance, Muscat Finance and Bank Muscat were down by 9.23 per cent, 3.57 per cent, 3.19 per cent, 2.08 per cent and 0.55 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 3,949.44 points, down 0.14 per cent. National Aluminium, Al Jazeera Steel and Al Maha Ceramics were up by 9.98 per cent, 2.75 per cent, and 1.52 per cent respectively. Oman Flour Mills, Raysut Cement and Al Anwar Ceramic were down by 1.59 per cent, 0.66 per cent and 0.61 per cent respectively.

Services index was down 0.13 per cent before closing at 1,563.89 points. Al Maha Petroleum was up by 1.21 per cent. Majan College, Renaissance Service and OIFC were down by 5.56 per cent, 1.25 per cent and 1.11 per cent respectively.