The MSM30 Index increased 0.13 per cent to close at 6,337 points. The total shares exchanged decreased by 7.42 per cent to 12.843 million shares and the total value traded decreased by 0.05 per cent to RO5.301 million. The market breadth was positive with 27 advances and 14 declines out of 55 traded securities.

Amongst the sectors, the Services & Insurance sector was the only loser yesterday and closed at 2.690 points, 0.53 per cent lower. However, the Industrial sector and Banking & Investment sector both increased by 0.53 per cent and 0.17 per cent to close at 7,415 points and 9,773 points respectively. The top two gainers were — Oman Chemicals Industry (+45 per cent) and Oman United Insurance (+6.18 per cent) which closed at RO0.116 and RO0.292 respectively.

The top two losers were — Maha Petroleum (-3.07 per cent) and Port Services Corporation (-2 per cent) — which close at RO9.360 and RO0.539. The top two by volume traded were Taageer Finance (2.7 million shares) and Al Anwar Holding (1.3million shares). The top two by value traded were Taageer Finance (RO0.6million) and Al Anwar Holding (RO 0.4million).

DFM gains

Dubai shares gained for the second time this week, led by Emaar Properties and DFM, as oil rose and investors speculated yesterday’s drop was overdone given the prospects for economic growth.

The DFM General Index rose three per cent, bouncing back from Tuesday’s five per cent drop, to 2,137.8.

Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index climbed one per cent to 6,347.68 at 1:34pm in the kingdom. The Kuwait Index increased 1.2 per cent, its biggest one-day gain since September 27. Qatar’s DSM 20 Index advanced 0.4 per cent and Abu Dhabi’s index rose 0.1 per cent. Bahrain’s measure fell 0.2 per cent.