The total turnover of Muscat Securities Market reached OMR 551.9 million by the end of July 2018, which is an increase of 4.4% over OMR 528.8 million by the end of July 2017, whereas the general index declined by 13.7%, according to the data released by the Centre.
The total value of trading during the month of July increased to OMR 56.921 million from OMR 36.075 million as of June. In May, it was OMR 154.9 million. The general index of the market was 4,336.6 points at the end of July 2018 compared to 5,024.2 points at the end of July 2017. The industrial sector led the declines, dipping by 17.5% to 5,606 points by the end of July 2018 against 6,793 points at the end of July 2017. The financial sector recorded a decrease of 10.5% to reach 6,738 points in July 2018 compared to 7,530 points at the end of July 2017. Services sector decreased by 5% to reach 2,378 points by the end of July 2018 against 2,502 points by the end of the same month in 2017.
The total number of shares traded by the end of July 2018 increased by 19.5% to reach 2.9billion compared to 2.4 billion by the end of July 2017. By the end of July, Omani investors acquired 88% of the purchase price, compared to 2% of foreign investors, 6% of Gulf nationals and 4% of other Arabs. The purchasing of Omani investors increased to OMR 145.5 million that is a net gain. The sell-off from Gulf investors increased to a negative figure of OMR 30.673 million and foreign investors registered a net negative figure of OMR 75.709 million. Similarly, the Arab investors also recorded net transactions of a negative figure of OMR 39.165 million.
The financial sector accounted for 54% of the shares trade, the service sector was at 28% and the industrial sector accounted for 18%.
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