Muscat: Last week, the Muscat Stock Exchange's main index recorded its best level in nearly eight years amid increased confidence, a rise in the number of transactions executed, trading volumes and values, and a market capitalization approaching OMR 30 billion. The stock exchange's main index rose by more than 100 points last week, closing at 5,062 points, its best level since January 15, 2018, benefiting from rising shares in banks, energy companies, a number of industrial and investment companies, and petroleum product marketing companies.
According to Yemen News Agency, sectoral indices recorded a collective rise, led by the financial sector index, which rose by more than 200 points. The services sector index rose by approximately 71 points, the industrial sector index rose by 67 points, and the Shariah index rose to approximately 475 points, recording a weekly increase of 4 points.
This rise coincided with rising prices for 44 securities, compared to 20 securities that declined in price and 23 securities that remained stable. These gains were reflected in the market capitalization of the Muscat Stock Exchange, which recorded gains of OMR 291 million last week, concluding weekly trading at OMR 29.944 billion, approaching the OMR 30 billion mark, benefiting from rising stock prices and the listing of the 76th issue of government development bonds worth OMR 90 million.
Trading value rose last week to OMR 136.9 million, compared to OMR 125 million the week before, registering a 9.5 percent increase. Executed deals rose from 10,210 to 11,800, registering a 15.6 percent increase.