MSM index ends lower

Galfar Engineering was the top gainer, up by 4.11 per cent, while Ominvest was the top loser, down by 5.86 per cent.

MUSCAT: Share prices on the Muscat bourse declined further on lack of buying support even at lower levels.

The benchmark MSM30 Index continued to decline and closed at 4,986.83 points on Monday, lower by 0.22 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index gained 0.05 per cent to close at 736.65 points.

Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of traded volume and Asaffa Foods was the most active in terms of turnover. Galfar Engineering was the top gainer, up 4.11 per cent, while Ominvest was the top loser, down 5.86 per cent.

A total number of 689 trades were executed on Monday, generating turnover of OMR2.18 million with 12.5 million shares changing hands.

Out of 35 traded securities, 12 advanced, 8 declined and 15 remained unchanged. GCC and Arab Investors were net buyers for OMR60,000 while foreigners were net sellers for OMR52,000 followed Omani Investors by OMR8 million worth of shares.

FinancialIndexclosedat7,332.10 points, down by 0.61 per cent.

United Finance, Bank Sohar, Al Sharqiya Investments, Al Madina Takaful, and HSBC Bank Oman increased by 2.61 per cent, 1.99 per cent, 1.00 per cent, 0.96 per cent, and 0.89 respectively. Ominvest, Al Anwar Holding, National Bank of Oman, Alizz Islamic Bank, and Taageer Finance were down by 5.86 per cent, 2.56 per cent, 1.89 per cent, 1.43 per cent, and 0.88 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index gained by 0.31 per cent before closing at 6,840.16 points.