Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,730.436 points, down 0.46 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.20 per cent at 533.083 points.

Oman Cement, up 8.27 per cent, was the top gainer while Voltamp Energy, down 9.65 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Galfar Engineering 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 474 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR0.926 million, with more than 10.54 million shares changing hands. Out of 42 traded stocks, 16 advanced, 8 declined and 18 remained unchanged. At the session close, local Investors were net sellers for OMR116,000 while foreign investors were net buyers for OMR111,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR4,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,643.664 points, down by 0.72 per cent. Al Madina Takaful was up by 2.41 per cent. Al Madina Investment, Oman Arab Bank, Sohar International Bank, Bank Muscat and HSBC bank Oman were down by 8.33 per cent, 6.84 per cent, 4.17 per cent, 1.49 per cent and 1.14 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,612.545 points, up 0.06 per cent. Oman Cement and Galfar Engineering were up by 3.82 per cent, and 1.92 per cent respectively. Voltamp Energy, Jazeera Steel, and Al Maha Ceramics were down by 9.65 per cent, 1.83 per cent and 0.79 per cent respectively.

Services index was up by 0.03 per cent before closing at 1,627.992 points. Al Batinah Power, OIFC and Ooredoo were up by 2.04 per cent, 1.09 per cent and 0.48 per cent respectively. Oman National Engineer, Muscat Gases, Al Suwadi Power, Majan College and Al Maha Ceramic were down by 4.21 per cent, 2.91 per cent, 1.96 per cent, 0.67 per cent and 0.61 per cent respectively.