Muscat-Mubasher: The Muscat Securities Market (MSM) maintained its positive performance for the fourth month in a row, backed by the financial sector.

MSM30 lost 2.08% or 133.6 points to reach 6,558.18 points in July compared to 6,424.6 points in June.

MSM Sharia Index fell 0.08% to 993.37 points as compared to 992.57 points in the previous month.

The financial sector led risers after gaining 3.63%, followed by the services sector at 1.66%. Meanwhile, the industrial sector was the only loser after falling 0.44%.

Market capitalization grew 1.2% to OMR 15.2 billion ($39.35 billion), compared to OMR 15.02 billion ($38.88 billion).

Turnover declined 35.6% to OMR 72.1 million from OMR 111.95 million.

Trading volume dropped 43.4% to 313.5 million shares exchanged through 18,215 transactions, down from 553.36 million shares traded through 43,762 transactions.

Al Sharqiya Investment Holding was the top gainer after rising 22.3% to OMR 0.15 from OMR 0.12.

Port Services Corporation led losers, declining 11.6% to OMR 0.19 this month from OMR 0.21 in June.