Muscat shares recover on regional cues

Muscat: Following regional cues, the MSM 30 Index recovered from four-month lows to close at 5,727.79 points, a gain of 0.24 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index ended at 885.52 points, up by 0.15 per cent.
OIFC was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Al Jazeera Steel, up by 3.02 per cent, was the top gainer while Al Anwar Ceramics was the top loser, down by 1.41 per cent.
As many as 386 trades were executed on Sunday, generating turnover of OMR1.6 million with 8.2 million shares changing hands. Out of 29 traded securities, eight advanced, three declined and 18 remained unchanged. Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR162,000 worth of shares while GCC and Arab investors were net sellers at OMR95,000 followed by foreign investors, who sold shares amounting to OMR67,000.
Financial Index advanced by 0.42 per cent to close at 7,342.02 points. Bank Sohar, Bank Nizwa, Al Batinah Development, Gulf Investment Services and Al Sharqia Investments gained 2.40 per cent, 1.32 per cent, 1.15 per cent, 0.85 per cent and 0.78 per cent, respectively.
Industrial Index ended at 7,487.49 points, up by 0.33 per cent. Al Jazeera Steel, Raysut Cement and Al Maha Ceramics increased by 3.02 per cent, 1.71 per cent and 0.84 per cent, respectively. Al Anwar Ceramics and Oman Cement declined by 1.41 per cent and 0.42 per cent, respectively.
Services Index declined by 0.11 per cent to close at 3,121.05 points. Oman Telecommunications Company, down by 0.64 per cent, was the only mover in the sector.