Muscat, May 02 (QNA) - The Muscat Stock Exchange posted a positive performance in April despite a corrective phase that trimmed gains in the main index and sectoral indicators.
Trading value rose last month to OMR 1.541 billion, bringing total trading value over the first four months of the year to around OMR 5.1 billion, compared to OMR 538.3 million in the same period last year, supported by stronger demand for equities and increased liquidity from local funds and institutional investors.
Trading value recorded steady monthly growth, rising from OMR 836.8 million in January to OMR 1.294 billion in February, OMR 1.426 billion in March, and more than OMR 1.5 billion in April. The total number of transactions in April exceeded 131,000, up from 115,000 in March and 122,000 in February.
The market was affected last month by a short correction in some stocks, which limited gains in the main index. The index rose by 201 points in April, compared to increases of 775 points in March and 1,063 points in February. Over the first four months, the index gained around 2,500 points, breaking three record levels to close April at approximately 8,370 points.
The financial sector index posted the largest gains, rising 388 points to close above 13,200 points. The industrial sector index advanced 314 points to 10,190 points, while the services sector index increased by 97 points to close at 3,267 points. The Sharia index edged up 10 points to 656 points. Prices of 66 securities rose during the month, while 31 declined and 14 remained unchanged. (QNA)