Oman- MSM-30 makes 15% gain in 3 days 

(MENAFN - Times of Oman) The MSM-30 index posted a strong gain for the third consecutive day to close at 4,881 points, 5.31 per cent higher, bringing the three-day advance to 15 per cent.

The market breadth was positive with 32 advances and 5 declines, out of the 43 securities that traded. The total shares exchanged increased by 35.5 per cent to 14.153 million shares against the previous day's 10.446 million shares and the turnover increased by 49.1 per cent from RO 3.632 million to RO 5.415 million.

The foreigners were net sellers yesterday with a net of 1.7 per cent (RO0.09 million) from the total turnover. Among the sectors, Banking & Investment sector registered the highest gain with 5.16 per cent.

This was mainly because of Bank Muscat which surged by 8.13 per cent to RO0.692, bringing the three-day jump to 23.3 per cent.

The bank's full-year profit increased 11 per cent to RO93.7 million. BankMuscat on January 15 said it expected full-year profit of RO90 million.

The other two sectors: Services & Insurance and Industrial gained 5.10 per cent and 3.55 per cent respectively. The top two gainers were: Gulf International Chemicals and Al Anwar Ceramic gained 9.7 per cent and 9.31 per cent to close at RO0.147 and RO 0.223 respectively.

The top two losers were: Oman Cables Industry (-7.09 per cent) and Al Jazeera Steel Product (-7.03 per cent) closed at RO 0.537 and RO 0.119. The top two by volume traded were: National Bank of Oman (1.4 million shares) and Al Jazeera Steel Product (1.1 million shares).

The top two by value traded were: Omantel (RO1.4 million) and Raysut Cement (RO0.65 million). NAV as of January 25 2009: Oryx Fund-OMR 1.068, Muscat Fund-OMR 1.029 and Bank Muscat MSCI Kuwait Fund: (January 22, 08) 0.4812.