MSM gains marginally

02/01/2013 11:01 AST

The MSM30 index was marginally up by 0.05 per cent to close at 5763.77 points . Gulf Investment Services was the most active in terms of volume, while Oman Investment and Finance was the most active in terms of turnover.

Transgulf Holding was the top gainer for the day and closed up by 2.98 per cent, while United Power was the top loser for the day and closed down by 4.55%

A total number of 1915 trades were executed in yesterday's trading session generating turnover of RO6.178 million with over 34.87 million shares traded. Out of 55 traded stocks, 29 advanced, 12 declined and 14 remained unchanged.

At the session close, foreign investors were net buyers for RO307,000, while Omani investors were net sellers for RO168,000 followed by GCC & Arab investors for RO139,000 worth of shares.

Financial Sector Index closed at 6656.56 points, up by 0.49 per cent. Transgulf Holding, Global Financial Investment, Al Anwar Holding, Taageer Finance, Gulf Investment Services and ONIC Holding increased by 6.02 per cent, 4.40 per cent, 3.03 per cent , 2.67 per cent, 2.13 per cent and 2.10 per cent respectively. United Finance, Bank Sohar, HSBC Bank Oman, Al Sharqia Investment and Bank Muscat declined by 1.96 per cent, 1.14 per cent, 0.96 per cent, 0.93 per cent and 0.35 per cent respectively.

The Industrial Sector Index was up by 0.17 per cent and closed at 7425.63 points. Construction Materials Industries, National Aluminim Products, Gulf International Chemicals, Sweets of Oman and Oman Fisheries increased by 3.70 per cent, 2.05 per cent, 1.78 per cent, 1.11 per cent and 0.98 per cent respectively. Dhofar Cattlefeed, Jazeera Steel Product, Gulf Mushroom Products, Al Anwar Ceramic and Majan Glass declined by 1.25 per cent, 0.65 per cent, 0.39 per cent, 0.24 per cent and 0.20 per cent respectively.

Services Sector Index closed at 2946.87

points, up by 0.19 per cent. OIFC, Port Service Corporation, Nawras and Oman National Engineering increased by 3.38 per cent, 1.16 per cent, 0.43 per cent and 0.27 per cent respectively. Renaissance Services, Al Jazeira Services and Oman Telecom declined by 0.79 per cent, 0.78 per cent and 0.07 per cent respectively. Saudi shares rise

Saudi Arabian shares rose the most in three weeks after the US Senate passed a bipartisan budget deal to prevent the potential economic harm from tax increases and spending cuts. Al Rajhi Bank, the kingdom's largest by market value, rose the most in two weeks. Saudi Arabian Fertiliser climbed to the highest level in a week.

The Tadawul All Share Index gained 0.6 percent to 6839.53 in Riyadh. The Arab world's biggest stock exchange gained 7.2 per cent last year, compared with the Dubai Financial Market's gain of 20 per cent.

The US Senate reached an after-deadline deal to undo the $600 billion in tax increases and spending cuts that may have slowed economic growth in the world's biggest economy.

Bloomberg