MSX trading value increases to OMR111.6mn in weekly trading

Times of Oman

a day ago

Muscat: Local investment funds and institutions increased their purchases on the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) during the week amid increased confidence in the performance of public joint-stock companies that began announcing their preliminary financial results for the first half of this year.
Trading value rose during the week to OMR111.6 million, compared to OMR52.6 million in the previous week, marking an increase of more than 100 percent. The number of transactions executed rose from 7,175 to 9,290.
Trading data released by the MSX showed a rise in purchases by local investment institutions, which accounted for 76.2 percent of the total trading value, compared to sales of 41.6 percent of the total trading value. Meanwhile, individual investors turned to selling, benefiting from the gains achieved by stocks in recent weeks.
The MSX has been witnessing high demand from local investment funds and institutions for shares for several weeks now, boosting growth and increasing investor confidence.
Bank Muscat announced that it had appointed Ubar Capital as a liquidity provider for the bank's shares. The agreement, signed by the two parties, is valid for one year, starting from July 6. It is in line with the Muscat Stock Exchange's strategy to promote investment, contribute to revitalising the capital market, and strengthen its position in supporting economic development.
The trading value of Bank Muscat shares reached OMR32.4 million, representing 29 percent of the total trading value. The stock saw 422 transactions, closing at its previous level of 275 baisas.
Over the past week, the MSX witnessed institutional interest in a number of other stocks, such as OQ Basic Industries, which saw trades worth OMR22.6 million, representing 20.2 percent of the total trading value. Asyad Shipping saw trades worth OMR14.4 million, while OQ Gas Networks saw trades worth OMR6.2 million. Dhofar International Development and Investment Company saw trades worth OMR4.9 million, representing 4.4 percent of the total trading value.
During the week, public joint-stock companies began announcing their preliminary financial results for the first half of this year. The results showed that the net profits of Al Batinah Power Company rose to OMR7.35 million in the first half of this year compared to OMR7.30 million in the same period last year. The net profits of Muscat City Desalination Company rose from OMR1.1 million to OMR1.2 million. The net profits of Musandam Power Company also rose to OMR1.13 million in the first half of this year compared to OMR1.57 million in the first half of last year. The net profits of the National Biscuit Manufacturing Company rose from OMR71,000 to approximately OMR99,000.
While Dhofar Power Generation Company recorded a slight decline in net profits during the first half of this year, reaching OMR1,594,000, compared to OMR1,715,000 in the same period last year, the Financial Centre Company (Fincorp) recorded losses of OMR928,000, compared to profits of OMR173,000 in the same period last year. It is expected that leading banks and companies will announce their preliminary financial results in the coming few days, which will contribute to determining investor trends during the second half of this year.
During the week, the Muscat Stock Exchange witnessed an increase in the prices of 40 securities, compared to a decline in the prices of 33 securities and 26 securities remained unchanged. This performance was reflected in the market value and the Muscat Stock Exchange indices, with the market value recording weekly gains of OMR52.3 million and ending the weekly trading at OMR28.43 billion.
The Muscat Stock Exchange's main index rose 52 points last week, closing at 4,602 points. The industrial sector index achieved the highest gains, rising 263 points. The financial sector index rose 128 points, the services sector index rose 90 points, and the Sharia index rose 10 points to close at 449 points.
International Financial Investments, Fincorp Financial Centre, and Voltamp Energy were the top gainers, while Oman Chlorine, Dhofar Tourism, and Muscat Desalination City led the losers.