Muscat Stock Exchange Maintains Trading Above 1 Billion Omani Rials

Muscat: The Muscat Stock Exchange maintained its trading above 1 billion Omani rials for the fourth consecutive month in May, despite declines in several leading stocks as investors sold to realize profits after the market's gains in recent months. According to Yemen News Agency, the value of trading during May reached 1 billion and 47.8 million Omani rials after recording in April the highest level of monthly trading in several years, exceeding 1 billion and 541 million Omani rials. Most of last month's trading was concentrated in shares of OQ Basic Industries, Bank Muscat, Bank Sohar International, OQ Exploration and Production, and Omantel, which together accounted for 78 percent of the total trading value. The Muscat Stock Exchange saw more than 107,000 transactions in May, compared to 131,000 in April and 115,000 in March. Trading data from the Muscat Stock Exchange indicated investor interest in the shares of several companies whose prices had declined, anticipating a new upward trend. OQ Gas Network s shares alone saw over 17,000 transactions. The Muscat Stock Exchange's main index recorded its first monthly decline in May, following a 10-month rally that began in July 2025. This decline came amid selling pressure on many stocks after their gains in the first quarter of the year. The main index closed May at 7,757 points, down 612 points, after gains of 201 points in April, 775 points in March, and 1,063 points in February. On May 4th, the index reached its highest level of the year at 8,397 points, but selling pressure quickly pushed it down to 7,243 points on May 20th, its lowest level since late February. Sectoral indices recorded a collective decline in May, led by the industrial sector index, which fell by 418 points. The financial sector index dropped by 342 points, the services sector index by 93 points, and the Sharia-compliant index by 33 points, closing at 622 points. Last month saw price declines in 65 securities, most notably Al Hassan Engineering (under liquidation), which plummeted by 6 0 percent from 20 baisa to 8 baisa. Oman Fisheries shares fell by 20 percent, closing at 23 baisa, and OQ Basic Industries shares declined by 17 percent, closing at 260 baisa. In the bond and sukuk market, trading value more than doubled, rising from 2.1 million Omani rials to approximately 4.5 million Omani rials.