Muscat, April 25 (QNA) - Trading value on the Muscat Stock Exchange declined by 31 percent last week, dropping to OR 294.5 million from QR 430.2 million the previous week. The number of executed transactions also fell by 23.7 percent, from more than 32,000 trades to about 25,000.

The exchange's main index lost 177 points last week to close at 8,159 points, weighed down by declines in shares of several leading companies and increased selling pressure as investors took profits after many stocks had reached record levels in recent weeks and following the announcement of first-quarter financial results.

All sector indices posted declines, led by the financial sector index, which fell 266 points to close at 13,028 points. The services sector index dropped 79 points, the Shariah index lost 9 points, and the industrial sector index recorded the smallest decline, shedding 6 points to end the week at 10,073 points.

The Muscat Stock Exchange also recorded a drop in market capitalization of about QR 546 million, ending Thursday's trading at QR 38.079 billion.

The weekly bulletin issued by the exchange indicated that prices of 51 securities declined, compared with 33 that rose, while 13 remained unchanged. (QNA)