Strength in global equity markets supported regional sentiment as most GCC stock markets ended Sunday in positive territory. The Muscat Securities Market general index inched up 0.20 per cent to close at 6,264.68.
Trading activity remained close to average levels as a total of 2,047 trades were executed, generating a turnover of RO9.40mn, while 39.97mn shares were exchanged over the counters.
Gulf Investment Services continued to gain maximum investor interest and closed with highest volume as well as highest turnover.
Market breadth was even as of the 54 securities traded for the day 18 advanced while an equal number of securities declined and remained unchanged at the session closing.
The top gainers for the day were Al Hassan Engineering (+3.24 per cent at 191bz), Gulf Investment Services (+3.07 per cent at 168bz), Al Anwar Holding (+3.03 per cent at 204bz), Financial Services (+2.33 per cent at 88bz) and Oman Investment and Finance (+2.15 per cent at 332bz).
While the top losers for the day were Dhofar Cattle Feed (-5.97 per cent at 268bz), Al Batinah Development and Investment (-2.22 per cent at 88bz), Bank Nizwa (-1.82 per cent at 108bz), Oman United Insurance (-1.73 per cent at 227bz) and National Securities (-1.52 per cent at 65bz).
All the three sectoral indices closed in the green. The Financial sector index edged higher by 0.16 per cent owing to gains from Ahlibank and Bank Sohar, where both the stocks gained by 0.54 per cent. The Industrial sector index closed up 0.18 per cent while the Services sector added 0.16 per cent.
