Muscat shares move up

MUSCAT: The MSM 30 Index closed yesterday at 5,623.50, recording increase of 32.90 points, representing 0.59 per cent, compared to the last trading session, according to Muscat Securities Market website.

The value of traded securities yesterday reached RO3.39 million with decrease of 17.93 per cent compared to the last trading session which recorded RO4.13 million.

The market capitalisation increased by 0.34 per cent compared to the last trading day, reaching around RO10.52 billion.

It is worth mentioning that the value of shares bought by non-omani investors reached RO1,511.07K, recording 44.58 per cent . The value of shares sold by nonOmani investors reached RO915.00K at a percentage of 26.99 per cent .The net foreign investment on the market increased to RO596.07K by 17.58 per cent.

Meanwhile, Dubai’s DFM General Index advanced 0.6 per cent to 1,482.49, the highest since September 7, at in the emirate. Abu Dhabi’s ADX General Index dropped 0.2 per cent.

Arabtec Holding fell the most since January 16, declining 1.5 per cent to Dh2.66, on bets a seven-day rally was overdone.

Qatar Islamic Insurance dropped the most since January 30, retreating 1.6 per cent to 57 riyals. The company that offers non-life insurance said full-year profit fell 5 per cent to 45 million riyals ($12 million).

Riyad Bank advanced to the highest since August 15, rising 1.3 per cent to 24.3 riyals. Saudi Arabia’s thirdlargest lender by market value anticipates 2012 profit will increase as much as last year, boosted by government spending, senior vicepresident Hisham Al Abdali said.