Muscat bourse falls on regional cues

Muscat: Following regional cues, the MSM30 Index dropped 0.32 per cent to close at 5,492.42 points. The MSM Sharia Index ended at 800.19 points, down 0.27 per cent. Al Madina Takaful remained the most active in terms of volume while Al Anwar Holding led in terms of turnover. Oman National Engineering Investment, up by 3.4 per cent, was the top gainer while Oman & Emirates Holding, down 5.76 per cent was the day’s top loser.
As many as 741 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating a turnover of OMR3.08 million with 17.43 million shares changing hands. Out of 41 traded securities, 6 advanced, 17 declined, and 18 remained unchanged. Foreign investors stayed net buyers for OMR178,000 while GCC and Arab investors switched to net sellers for OMR106,000 followed by Omani Investors for OMR72,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index ended negatively at 8,072.06 points, down 0.34 per cent. Al Izz Bank, Al Madina Takaful and Al Anwar Holding increased 1.39 per cent, 1.01 per cent and 0.97 per cent respectively. Oman & Emirates Holding, Dhofar Insurance, Takaful Oman, Al Madina Investments and Bank Nizwa declined 5.76 per cent, 2.91 per cent, 2.86 per cent, 1.45 per cent and 1.06 per cent respectively.
Industrial Index retreated 0.56 per cent to close at 7,506.84 points. Al Jazeera Steel and Gulf International Chemicals increased 0.74 per cent and 0.42 per cent respectively. Al Hassan Engineering, Al Maha Ceramics, Galfar Engineering, National Aluminium and Al Anwar Ceramics declined 3.70 per cent, 3.09 per cent, 2.44 per cent, 1.86 per cent and 0.68 per cent respectively.
Services Index declined 0.27 per cent to finish at 2,812.58 points. Oman National Engineering, up 3.40 per cent, was the sole gainer. Renaissance Services, Al Batinah Power, Phoenix Power and Ooredoo declined 1.83 per cent, 1.15 per cent, 0.75 per cent and 0.39 per cent respectively.