Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,566.57 points, up 0.29 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended down 0.21 per cent at 532.79 points.

National Life Insurance, up 3.17 per cent, was the top gainer while Madina Takaful, down 2.25 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 339 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.24 million, with more than 9.04 million shares changing hands. Out of 41 traded stocks, 8 advanced, 9 declined and 24 remained unchanged. At the session close, local investors were net buyers for OMR126,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR81,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR45,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,331.33 points, up by 0.74 per cent. National Life Insurance, Sohar International Bank, HSBC Bank Oman, National Bank of Oman and Bank Nizwa were up by 3.17 per cent, 2.70 per cent, 2.50 per cent, 2.36 per cent and 2.08 per cent respectively. Madina Takaful, Sharqia Investment, and Bank Muscat were down by 2.25 per cent, 1.37 per cent and 0.50 per cent respectively.   

Industrial Index closed at 4,652.58 points, down 0.04 per cent. Gulf International and Voltamp Energy were down by 1.87 per cent and 0.96 per cent respectively.

Services index was down by 0.47 per cent before closing at 1,562.14 points. Sharqiyah Desalination and Dhofar Generating were up by 0.81 per cent and 0.64 per cent respectively. Sembcorp Salalah, Omantel, Al Jazeera Service and Renaissance Service were down by 2.13 per cent, 2.05%, 1.73 per cent and 1.14 per cent respectively.