The Muscat Stock Exchange closed slightly higher amid mixed indicators

The story in brief

The Muscat Stock Exchange index recorded an increase of 1.5 points, and closed at 7,502.53 points. The trading value reached 23.070 million Omani riyals, and the market value reached 38.26 billion riyals. The main indicators of the stock exchange varied; The industrial index rose by 0.2%, the financial sector index by 0.1%, while the services index decreased by 0.1%, and the Sharia index by 0.08%. Bank Sohar International acquired the trading value by 5.6 million riyals, Bank Muscat by 4.8 million riyals, and OQ Exploration and Production by 3 million riyals. Omani Chrome recorded the highest percentage of increase among the traded companies by 3.7%, and its shares closed at 3 riyals. And 630 baisas, Muscat Finance by 3% and its share closed at 68 baisas, Gulf International Chemicals by 2.9% and its share closed at 70 baisas. The most prominent losers: United Finance Bonds were the most prominent losers during the session with a decrease of 6.9% and its share closed at 80 baisas, followed by SMN Power Holding by 2.5% and its share closed at 190 baisas, and Omaniyah. International Development and Investment (Ominvest) by 2.2% and its shares closed at 400 baisas. Omani investors went to buy; The percentage of their purchases was 86.1% compared to 85.6% of their sales. The purchase value was 19.8 million riyals and the selling value was 19.7 million riyals. The value of purchases by non-Omanis was 3.1 million riyals, a percentage of 13.8%. The value of selling by non-Omanis was 3.3 million riyals, a percentage of 14.3%. The net non-Omani investment decreased to 123 thousand riyals, a percentage. 0.5%.

Detailed summary

Background & context

This story sits within Oman's broader reform agenda and efforts to grow Banking as a pillar of non-oil GDP. The region benefits from supportive energy prices, expansionary government budgets, and rising interest from sovereign wealth funds and foreign investors.

GCC angle

For the rest of the GCC, this is a signal on the pace of activity in Banking, Capital Markets. Capital flows and regulatory decisions in one Gulf state typically travel across borders given the similar economic structures and the coordination inside the GCC framework.

Risks & uncertainty

There is uncertainty around the read-through: projections can be moved by swings in oil prices, by US monetary policy tightening that most GCC central banks track via dollar pegs, and by regional geopolitical events. Headline numbers may also be revised when subsequent official data is published.

What happens next?

Watch for upcoming disclosures from listed names in Banking, Capital Markets, official macro releases for Oman, and any commentary from regulators or sovereign wealth funds. Tharwa will refresh this briefing as new public information becomes available.