MSM index ends lower

National Aluminium was the top gainer, up 4.67 per cent while Al Maha Ceramics was the top loser, down by 2.98 per cent.

MUSCAT: Weak sentiments continue to weigh on the MSM30 Index, as it declined by 0.24 per cent to end at 5,300.71 points. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 777.74 points, down 0.33 per cent. Bank Nizwa was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat led in terms of turnover. National Aluminium was the top gainer, up 4.67 per cent while Al Maha Ceramics was the top loser, down by 2.98 per cent.

A total number of 485 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating a turnover of OMR1.62 million with 8.33 million shares changing hands. Out of 40 traded securities, 6 advanced, 17 declined, and 17 remained unchanged. At the session close, Foreign Investors switched to net buyers for OMR101,000 while GCC & Arab Investors remained net sellers for OMR231,000 followed by Omani Investors for OMR35,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index retreated 0.24 per cent to end at 7,950.87 points. Al Madina Takaful and Bank Sohar gained 0.85 per cent and 0.70 per cent respectively. National Finance, Oman & Emirates, Al Madina Investments, Alizz Bank and Gulf Investment Service lost 2.07 per cent, 1.82 per cent, 1.43 per cent, 1.16 per cent and 1.11 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 7,112.55 points, down 0.21 per cent. National Aluminium, Al Anwar Ceramics and Oman Fisheries gained 4.67 per cent, 0.73 per cent and 0.68 per cent respectively. Al Maha Ceramics, Oman Refreshments, Dhofar Cattlefeed, Raysut Cement and Galfar Engineering fell 2.98 per cent, 2.91 per cent, 2.06 per cent, 1.29 per cent and 1.27 per cent respectively. Services Index had loss of 0.12 per cent to finish at 2,694.57 points. Oman National Engineering, up 1.67 per cent was the only sector gainer while OIFC was the sole loser, down 2.54 per cent.