MSX index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,007.53 points, up 0.18 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up by 0.22 per cent at 538.44 points. Voltamp Energy, down 9.57 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of Bank Nizwa were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Bank Muscat were the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 334 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR1.10 million, with more than 5.94 million shares changing hands. Out of 36 traded securities, 15 advanced, 4 declined and 17 remained unchanged. At the session close, foreign investors were net sellers for OMR189,000 while domestic investors were net buyers for OMR174,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for OMR15,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,386.66 points, up 0.23 per cent. Al Anwar Investment, Sohar International Bank, Muscat Finance, Oman & Emirates Holding and Oman United Insurance were up 2.13 per cent, 1.90 per cent, 1.79 per cent, 1.49 per cent and 1.18 per cent respectively. Al Sharqia Investment and Bank Dhofar 4.49 per cent and 2.31 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,049.38 points, up 0.39 per cent. Oman Fisheries, Voltamp Energy, Galfar Engineering, NAPI and Jazeera Steel Product were up 8.77 per cent, 7.69 per cent, 2.74 per cent, 2.19 per cent and 0.56 per cent respectively. Al Anwar Ceramics was the only loser by 2.56 per cent.

Services Index was up by 0.01 per cent before closing at 1,615.04 points. Al Suwadi Power and Muscat Gases were up 1.96 per cent and 1.23 per cent respectively. OIFC was the only loser by 0.72 per cent.