Oman shares fall on listless trading

Muscat: Trading activity remained muted with the MSM30 Index closing at 5,847.44 points, down by 0.36 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index declined by 0.28 per cent to close at 885.06 points. Bank Sohar was most active in terms of volume, while Bank Muscat led in terms of turnover. HSBC Bank, up by 0.99 per cent, was the only gainer on Monday while Al Madina Takaful was the top loser, down by 3.95 per cent.
As many as 454 trades were executed on Monday, generating turnover of OMR2 million with 7.6 million shares changing hands. Out of 32 traded securities, one advanced, 13 declined and 18 remained unchanged. Oman investors remained net buyers for OMR186,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR128,000 followed by GCC and Arab investors for OMR58,000 worth of shares.
Financial Index retreated by 0.19 per cent to close at 7,441.61 points. HSBC Bank, up by 0.99 per cent, was the only gainer on Monday. Al Madina Takaful, Al Anwar Holding and Bank Sohar declined by 3.95 per cent, 1.70 per cent and 1.11 per cent, respectively.
Industrial Index ended at 7,309.70 point, down by 0.46 per cent. Galfar Engineering, Oman Fisheries, Al Jazeera Steel, Raysut Cement and Gulf International Chemicals declined by 3.60 per cent, 1.64 per cent, 1.44 per cent, 0.75 per cent and 0.40 per cent, respectively.
Services Index fell by 0.44 per cent to close the session at 3,253.29 points. Renaissance Services, OIFC, Omantel, Ooredoo and National Gas declined by 1.99 per cent, 1.49 per cent, 0.92 per cent, 0.53 per cent and 0.38 per cent, respectively.