Oman share index falls on profit-booking

Muscat: Profit-booking amid low volumes dragged down the MSM30 Index by 0.67 per cent to close at 5,978.89 points. The MSM Sharia Index fell 0.27 per cent to end at 886.92 points. Bank Sohar was the most active in terms of volume and turnover. National Gas remained the top gainer, up by 6.69 per cent, while Al Sharqia Investments was the top loser, down by 4.24 per cent.
As many as 1,067 trades were executed on Tuesday, generating turnover of OMR3.7 million with 18.5 million shares changing hands. Out of 47 traded securities, six advanced, 26 declined and 15 remained unchanged. GCC and Arab investors were net buyers for OMR171,000 while foreign investors switched to net sellers for OMR108,000 followed by Omani investors for OMR63,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index retreated by 0.84 per cent to close at 7,767.61 points. Al Izz Bank, Oman & Emirates Holding and Oman Orix Leasing increased by 1.72 per cent, 1.33 per cent and 0.85 per cent, respectively. Al Sharqia Investments, Dhofar Insurance, Gulf Investment Services, Ahli Bank and HSBC Bank declined by 4.24 per cent, 3.41 per cent, 2.27 per cent, 2.17 per cent and 1.69 per cent, respectively.
Industrial Index ended at 7,224.39 points, down by 0.52 per cent. Al Hassan Engineering, Construction Materials, Galfar Engineering, Oman Fisheries and Gulf International Chemicals declined by 3.03 per cent, 2.86 per cent, 1.68 per cent, 1.54 per cent and 1.16 per cent, respectively.
Services Index declined by 0.43 per cent to close at 3,317.62 points. National Gas, OIFC and Port Services advanced by 6.69 per cent, 0.49 per cent and 0.39 per cent, respectively. Renaissance Service, Al Jazeera Services, Al Suwadi Power, Phoenix Power and OoredooOman slid by 3.87 per cent, 2.16 per cent, 1.38 per cent, 1.31 per cent and 1.04 per cent respectively.