MSM index ends lower

The top gainer was Al Jazeera Services, up by 2.55 per cent, while Al Hassan Engineering, down by 17.50 per cent, was the top loser.

MUSCAT: Amid muted trading activity, the MSM30 Index remained subdued at 5,031.73 points, down by 0.16 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 715.25 points, down 0.23 per cent. Al Madina Takaful was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat led in terms of turnover. The top gainer was Al Jazeera Services, up 2.55 per cent, while Al Hassan Engineering, down 17.50 per cent was the top loser.

A total number of 522 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating a turnover of OMR1.15 million with 6.90 million shares changing hands. Out of 34 traded securities, 8 advanced, 16 declined, and 16 remained unchanged. At the session close, Omani Investors were net buyers for OMR392,000 while GCC & Arab Investors remained net sellers for OMR358,000 followed by Foreign Investors for OMR34,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 7,441.00 points, down 0.14 per cent. Muscat Finance and Al Madina Takaful gained 1.82 per cent and 1.03 per cent respectively. Al Madina Investments, Al Izz Bank and Bank Nizwa declined 1.79 per cent, 1.41 per cent and 1.10 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index had sharp loss of 0.72 per cent to end at 6,734.73 points. Muscat Thread Mills and Al Anwar Ceramics increased 2.41 per cent and 0.82 per cent respectively. Al Hassan Engineering, Voltamp Engineering, Gulf International Chemicals, Al Maha Ceramics and Galfar Engineering decreased 17.50 per cent, 5.56 per cent, 3.42 per cent, 1.72 per cent and 1.35 per cent respectively.

Services Index was stable at 2,612.51 points, down 0.01 per cent. Al Jazeera Services, OIFC and National Gas gained 2.55 per cent, 0.78 per cent and 0.67 per cent respectively. Ooredoo, down 0.78 per cent, was the only sector loser.