Mubasher: The main index of the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) closed Wednesday 0.8% or 43.57 points up to 5,510.18 points.

The increase was due to a rise in leading stocks as Oman and Emirates Investment Holding, Sohar Bank, and Phoenix Power rose 3.57%, 3.45, and 2.96%, respectively.

The sectors grew collectively led by the financial sector with 0.9% after the National Bank of Oman (NBO) went up 1.78%, followed by Bank Nizwa with 1.08%, and Al Madina Takaful with 1.04%.

The industry sector increased 0.78% as Al Jazeera Steel Products and Oman Fisheries went up 5.83%, and 5.30%, respectively, whereas Construction Materials Industries dropped 6.67%, and Al Maha Ceramics Co inched down 0.5%.

The services sector levelled up 0.66% as Sembcorp Salalah Power and Water Co and Al Jazeira Services gained 1.67% and 1.27%, respectively.

Traded volume rose to 15.5 million shares on Wednesday against 12.29 million shares on Monday, while trading value reached OMR 3.57 million against OMR 2.35 million.

The MSM was closed on Tuesday, 25 April, on the occasion of the Israa and Mi’raj holiday.