Oman stocks gains

12/02/2015 20:30 AST

A strong showing by the financial sector pushed the MSM 30 Index to 6,655.21 points, up by 0.35 per cent. The MSM Shariah Index also increased by 0.70 per cent to close at 990.42 points.

Bank Nizwa was the most active in terms of volume while Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of turnover. The top gainer was Bank Nizwa, up by 9.88 per cent, while Galfar Engineering, down by 3.37 per cent, lost the most.

As many as 1,889 trades were executed in the session generating a turnover of OMR6.65 million with more than 29.7 million shares changing hands. Out of 48 traded stocks, 22 advanced, 11 declined and 15 remained unchanged. Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR533,000 worth of shares, while GCC & Arab Investors were net sellers at OMR453,000 followed by foreign investors, who sold stocks amounting to OMR80,000.

Financial Index was buoyed by news of a possible merger and closed at 8,411.57 points, up by 1.24 per cent. Bank Nizwa, Dhofar Insurance, United Finance, ONIC Holding and Ominvest increased by 9.88 per cent, 4.55 per cent, 4.08 per cent, 4 per cent and 2.16 per cent respectively. Gulf Investment Services, DBIH, Al Madina Investments and Bank Muscat declined by 3.87 per cent, 1.55 per cent, 1.35 per cent and 0.65 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index ended on a flat note at 8,693.65 points, down by 0.01 per cent. Gulf International Chemicals, Construction Materials, Al Hassan Engineering, Al Anwar Ceramics and Oman Cements increased by 2.90 per cent, 2.70 per cent, 2.29 per cent, 2.22 per cent and 0.78 per cent respectively. Galfar Engineering, Al Maha Ceramics and Al Jazeera Steel declined by 3.37 per cent, 1.02 per cent and 0.57 per cent respectively. Services Sector Index ended the day at 3,558.21 points, down by 0.03 per cent. Al Jazeera Services, National Gas and Omantel increased by 2.70 per cent, 1.79 per cent and 0.57 per cent respectively.

Renaissance Services, Sembcorp Salalah, United Power and OIFC decreased by 1.70 per cent, 0.66 per cent, 0.50 per cent and 0.40 per cent respectively.

Times of Oman