Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,655.16 points, up 0.08 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up 0.29 per cent at 543.94 points.

Oman Cables Industry, up 5.93 per cent, was the top gainer while Oman Telecommunication, down 4.21 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Bank Muscat were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.

A total number of 562 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.1 million, with more than 12 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded stocks, 21 advanced, 7 declined and 11 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR534,000 while Omani investors were net buyers for OMR391,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR142,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 5,583.04 points, up by 0.82 per cent. United Finance, Al Anwar Investment, National Bank Oman, Al Omaniya Financial Service and Oman & Emirates Holding were up 4.76 per cent, 4.11 per cent, 3.03 per cent, 2.78 per cent and 2.17 per cent respectively. National Life Insurance and Bank Nizwa were down 1.52 per cent and 1.02 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 4,755.60 points, up 0.93 per cent. Oman Cables Industry, National Aluminum Product, Voltamp Energy, Jazeera Steel Product and Galfar Engineering were up 5.93 per cent, 3.96 per cent, 3.20 per cent, 2.35 per cent and 2.13 per cent respectively. Oman Cement and Raysut Cement were down 0.74 per cent and 0.33 per cent respectively.

Services index was up by 0.02 per cent before closing at 1,545.33 points. Oman National Engineering, Al Jazeera Service, Phoenix Power, Al Suwadi Power and Oman Investment & Financials were up 5.43 per cent, 4.35 per cent, 2.13 per cent, 1.96 per cent and 1.22 per cent respectively. Oman Telecommunication and Ooredoo were down 4.21 per cent and 1.46 per cent respectively.