Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,565.96 points, up 0.010 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.49 per cent at 539.28 points. Sharqiyah Desalination, up 3.70 per cent, was the top gainer while Oman Cable down 4.19 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Bank Muscat were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while also was most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 407 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.6 million, with more than 8.72 million shares changing hands. Out of 36 traded stocks, 7 advanced, 12 declined and 17 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR599,000 while foreign investors were net buyers for OMR395,000 followed by local investors for OMR203,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,335.34 points, up by 0.06 per cent. Madina Takaful was up by 1.16 per cent. Al Sharqia Investment, Sohar International Bank, and Bank Muscat were down by 1.33 per cent, 1.32 per cent, and 0.5 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,621.63 points, down 0.28 per cent. Raysut Cement was up by 3.33 per cent. Oman Cable, Galfar Engineering, Aluminium Product, Jazeera Steel and Oman Cement were down by 4.19 per cent, 2.04 per cent, 1.33 per cent, 0.47 per cent and 0.36 per cent respectively.

Services index was down by 0.11 per cent before closing at 1,556.59 points. Sharqiyah Desalination, Al Jazeera Service, Al Batinah Power, and Omantel were up by 3.70 per cent, 3.23 per cent, 2.04 per cent and 1.06 per cent respectively. Phoenix Power, SMN Power, OIFC, and National Gas were down by 4.08 per cent, 3.08 per cent, 2.41 per cent and 0.71 per cent respectively.