MSX index ends lower

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 4,648.3 points, down by 0.08 per cent from the previous close. The Sharia Index ended up by 0.84 per cent at 485.41 points.

Gulf International Chemicals, up 10 per cent, was the top gainer while Barka Water & Power Company, down 50 per cent, was the top loser. Shares of SMN Power Holding were the most active in terms of the number of shares traded while Al Maha Marketing were the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 687 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.3 million, with more than 12.17 million shares changing hands. Out of 50 traded securities, 15 advanced, 15 declined, and 20 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR396,000 while domestic investors were net sellers for OMR396,000.

Financial Index closed at 7,425.89 points, down 0.25 per cent. Prices of Al Anwar Investment, Al Madina Takaful and Ahli Bank were up by 1.3 per cent, 1.12 per cent and 0.75 per cent respectively. Prices of Ominvest, Oman United Insurance and Muscat Finance were down by 3.53 per cent, 1.72 per cent and 1.47 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,309.08 points, up 0.83 per cent. Prices of Gulf International Chemicals, Oman Chlorine, Oman Cables Industry, Al Anwar Ceramics and Construction Materials were up by 10 per cent, 10 per cent, 4.76 per cent, 3.81 per cent and 2.38 per cent respectively. Prices of Gulf Mushroom Products, Jazeera Steel Products, Raysut Cement, Al Maha Ceramics and A'Saffa Foods were down by 5.2 per cent, 2.78 per cent, 2.22 per cent, 0.94 per cent and 0.82 per cent respectively.

Services Index was up by 0.22 per cent before closing at 1,678.29 points. Prices of Al Maha Marketing, Sahara Hospitality, Barka Desalination and OIFC were up by 6.49 per cent, 1.89 per cent, 1.48 per cent and 0.78 per cent respectively. Prices of Barka Water & Power Company, SMN Power Holding, National Gas, Sembcorp Salalah and Al Jazeera Services were down by 50 per cent, 6.25 per cent, 2.19 per cent, 1.39 per cent and 1.38 per cent respectively.