MSX index ends higher

Muscat: The MSX index closed at 7,852.11 points, up by 0.25% from previous close. The Sharia Index ended up by 0.30% at 642.68 points. Muscat Gases, up 6.92%, was the top gainer while, Al Hassan Engineering, down 16.67%, was the top loser. Shares of OQBI were the most active in terms of number of shares traded as well as in terms of turnover.A total number of 9925 trades were executed during the day’s trading session, generating turnover of OMR65.49 million, with more than 202.76 million shares changing hands. Out of 71 traded securities, 21 advanced, 25 declined, and 25 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net sellers for OMR957,000 while domestic investors were net buyers for OMR952,000, followed by foreign investors for OMR5,000 worth of shares. Financial Index closed at 14,004.09 points, down -0.10%. Prices of National Finance, Takaful Oman, OMINVEST, Al Sharqia Investment, Bank Dhofar were up by 3.74%, 1.70%, 1.21%, 0.98%, 0.45% respectively. Prices of Oman Arab Bank, Al Madina Takaful, Oman United Insurance, Al Madina Investments, Oman & Emirates Investment were down by 6.08%, 3.51%, 2.44%, 2.35%, 1.60% respectively.Industrial Index closed at 10,205.37 points, down -0.13%. Prices of Al Maha Ceramics, Salalah Mills were up by 3.16%, 1.40% respectively. Prices of Al Hassan Engineering, Al Anwar Ceramics, Raysut Cement, Gulf Mushroom Products, Oman Cables Industry were down by 16.67%, 4.27%, 0.52%, 0.39%, 0.15% respectively.Services Index was down by -0.52% before closing at 3,102.50 points. Prices of Muscat Gases, OQ Gas Networks, Al Jazeera Services, Al Jazeera Services, OQ Exploration & Production were up by 6.92%, 2.62%, 1.17%, 1.17%, 1.00% respectively. Prices of Muscat Desalination, Sembcorp Salalah, Oman Telecom, National Gas, Ooredoo were down by 3.16%, 1.03%, 0.88%, 0.82%, 0.62% respectively.