Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,574.59 points, up 0.38 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 1.10 per cent at 542.0 points.

Madina Takaful, up 9.41 per cent, was the top gainer while the Oman Emirates, down 5.00 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Bank Nizwa were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while also was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 470 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR4.01 million, with more than 29.90 million shares changing hands. Out of 41 traded stocks, 12 advanced, 8 declined and 21 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR152,000 while domestic investors were net buyers for OMR97,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR54,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,334.76 points, up by 0.21 per cent. Al Madina Takaful and Sohar International Bank were up by 9.41 per cent and 1.33 per cent respectively. Al Sharqia Investment, Oman Emirates Holding, Bank Nizwa and National Bank of Oman were down by 5.00 per cent, 2.94 per cent, 1.01 per cent and 0.76 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,607.69 points, down 0.11 per cent. Aluminium Product and Al Maha Ceramic were up by 1.3 per cent and 0.78 per cent respectively. Galfar Engineering and Oman Flour Mills were down by 2.13 per cent and 0.61 per cent respectively.

Services index was up by 0.41 per cent before closing at 1,551.57 points. Musandam Power, Ooredoo, Phoenix Power, Al Batinah Power, and Omantel were up by 3.27 per cent, 2.50 per cent, 2.22 per cent, 2.00 per cent and 1.56 per cent respectively. National Gas and Semcorp Salalah were down by 4.32 per cent and 3.3 per cent respectively.