Saturday 25 / April / 2026
Muscat: The Muscat Stock Exchange witnessed growth in its performance during the first quarter of this year, exceeding 40 percent, supported by strong financial results for listed companies that came in better than expectations, which strengthened the stability and rise of the stock exchange.
Mustafa bin Ahmed Salman, CEO of United Securities, explained that the total value of trades during the first four months of this year amounted to about OM4.3 billion, compared to about OMR5 billion during 2025, which reflects the growing demand for the market and the increasing pace of investment activity from various categories.
He told the Oman News Agency that with regard to investment flows in the stock exchange, indicators point to increased activity, especially from foreign investors, although the nature of their transactions combines buying and selling and does not involve a significant increase in holding shares.
He noted that there is a remarkable growth in the number of Omani individual investors, as some brokerage firms have recorded the opening of about a thousand investment accounts, which is expected to reflect positively on the market's performance in the coming periods.
He emphasised that the strong cash distributions, which exceeded OMR835 million, supported the market's attractiveness and boosted confidence in the sustainability of its performance, given the robust financial results of companies.
He pointed out that new investment products are expected to be introduced in the coming period, which will expand investment options and create additional opportunities, in parallel with the development of brokerage firms’ capabilities in terms of competencies and expertise.
He noted that these efforts are part of the endeavors to include the market in emerging and global market indices, as a joint committee has been formed between the Brokers Association and the Stock Exchange administration to follow up on this matter and work to facilitate the challenges.
He added that the inclusion of the Muscat Stock Exchange in these indices is expected to attract large foreign investment flows, raise liquidity levels, and support the general index, based on the experiences of similar markets that have seen growth of no less than 30 percent after their inclusion.
Regarding initial public offerings (IPOs), he stated that expectations indicate two to three IPOs during the current year, supported by the Oman Investment Authority, covering diverse sectors including petrochemicals, which would enhance the depth and diversity of the market.
At the level of macro indicators, the CEO of United Securities explained that the market capitalisation of the Muscat Stock Exchange rose from about OMR29 billion to nearly OMR38 billion, reflecting a remarkable improvement in the size of assets. He noted that part of the current positive performance of the stock exchange is attributed to the results of the initiatives and listings that were implemented during 2023 and 2024, and which began to bear fruit in 2025 and 2026, especially with the improvement in oil prices.
This positive impact is likely to continue given expectations that oil prices will stabilise at levels between $75 and $80 per barrel, which will support the national economy and enhance market performance in the coming period.
