Monday 02 / June / 2025
Muscat: The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) recorded gains of OMR806.1 million in May, with its market capitalisation rising to OMR27.927 billion by the end of trading session on Thursday.
The market capitalisation benefited from rising stock prices amid several positive economic indicators, improved investor confidence, and a decline in trading pressures that prevailed in the first four months of this year.
The Muscat Stock Exchange’s main index rose 244 points in May, closing at 4,561 points, marking its first monthly gain this year after incurring losses of more than 260 points in the previous four months.
Sectoral indices registered a collective rise in May, with the industrial sector index rising 604 points, the financial sector index rising 300 points, the services sector index rising 87 points, and the Shariah index rising 42 points to close at 445 points, recording the highest rate of increase among sectoral indices during the past month, having risen by 10.4 percent.
The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSE) witnessed a 43.4 percent increase in trading value in May, reaching OMR149.4 million, compared toOMR 104.2 million in April. May’s trading is the second highest this year, while February saw exceptional trading volume of OMR234.5 million, including private deals on Ahli Bank shares worth OMR162.7 million, as a result of Ahli United Bank selling its 35 percent stake in Ahli Bank to the Royal Court Affairs and a number of Omani investors.
In May, the Muscat Stock Exchange recorded a record number of transactions executed this year, reaching 32,736, compared to 23,246 in April and 17,843 in March.
OQ Basic Industries accounted for 17.5 percent of the total trading value, with transactions worth OMR26.3 million. OQ Exploration and Production came in second place with transactions worth OMR22.9 million. Bank Muscat came in third with OMR20 million, while Bank Sohar International came in fourth with transactions worth OMR17.5 million. OQ Gas Networks came in fifth with transactions worth OMR15.4 million, representing 10.3 percent of the total trading value.
In May, 63 securities rose, 27 declined, and 9 remained unchanged. Al Maha Ceramics topped the gainers, rising 53 percent to close at 306 baisas. Oman Chromium rose 30.1 percent to close at 3,983 baisas. Oman Cement climbed 26.7 percent from 385 baisas to 488 baisas. International Financial Investment Holding Company rose 23.7 percent to close at 99 baisas. Ooredoo rose 23.5 percent to 210 baisas.
Majan Glass stock was the biggest loser, falling 33.3 percent to close at 12 baisas. Oman Financial Services Bonds 2025 fell 29 percent to close at 71 baisas. Salalah Mills stock fell to 467 baisas, recording a decline of 16.6 percent. Barka Water and Power stock fell 15.3 percent to close at 220 baisas. Oman Chlorine stock fell 10.2 percent to close at 299 baisas.
