Oman's share index ends marginally lower

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,556.40 points, down 0.09 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.14 per cent at 533.89 points. Muscat Finance, up 5.56 per cent, was the top gainer while SMN Power, down 9.76 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Bank Nizwa were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while was most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 345 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.96 million, with more than 17.80 million shares changing hands. Out of 42 traded stocks, 7 advanced, 14 declined and 21 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net sellers for OMR110,000 while GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR76,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR34,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,291.9 points, up by 0.42 per cent. Muscat Finance, Bank Dhofar, Al Omaniya Financial, National Life and Madina Takaful were up by 5.56 per cent, 3.0 per cent, 2.82 per cent, 2.72 per cent and 1.14 per cent respectively. Dhofar International, Sohar International Bank, Oman Emirates and Ahli Bank were down by 9.67 per cent, 2.63 per cent, 2.33 per cent, and 0.98 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,654.60 points, down 0.19 per cent. Galfar Engineering, Dhofar Cattle, Al Maha Ceramic and Jazeera Steel were down by 1.96 per cent, 1.08 per cent, 0.76 per cent and 0.46 per cent respectively.

Services index was down by 0.59 per cent before closing at 1,569.54 points. SMN Power, Sharqiyah Desalin, Ooredoo, OIFC, and Semcorp Salalah were down by 9.76 per cent, 7.46 per cent, 2.39 per cent, 2.38 per cent and 2.08 per cent respectively.