Saturday 07 / February / 2026
Muscat: Local individual investors turned to selling in the week’s trading on the Muscat Stock Exchange to take advantage of the gains recorded by stocks during the past weeks. This was on the back of several factors like the rise of many shares to record levels for the first time, the improvement in many economic indicators, the rise in company profits and the injection of more liquidity into the stock exchange by local investment institutions.
Trading data issued by the Muscat Stock Exchange showed that sales by local individual investors rose during the week to OMR42.7 million, representing 19.7 percent of the total trading value, compared to purchases of OMR34.8 million, representing 16 percent of the total trading value. Meanwhile, local investment funds and institutions increased their purchases, absorbed the surplus of local sales, and diversified their investment portfolios.
The week also saw further increases in share prices as several companies announced their recommendations for the dividends they will pay to their shareholders. OQ Exploration and Production (OQEP) shares recorded their best level since the company was listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange on October 28, 2024, closing at 402 baisa compared to the subscription price for individual Omani investors at 351 baisa. The company's market capitalisation rose to OMR3.21 billion by the end of the week's trading, recording gains of OMR336 million compared to its level at the end of last year.
Bank Muscat’s stock rose to 375 baisa during trading in the week, recording its best level in the past five years. The bank intends to distribute cash dividends to shareholders at a rate of 18 percent, equivalent to 18 baisa per share. Bank Sohar International’s stock also saw a record level, rising to 175 baisa during trading in the week. OQ Gas Networks’ (OQGN) stock rose to 213 baisa, compared to its subscription price in October 2023 of 126 baisa.
The gains recorded by stocks were reflected in the main index of the Muscat Stock Exchange, which rose 94 points and closed at 6,424 points, and in the sectoral indices also recorded a collective rise, led by the financial sector index, which rose 181 points and closed at about 11,100 points. The industrial sector index rose 21 points, the services sector index recorded a rise of 17 points, and the Sharia index rose by about 3 points and closed at 592 points.
The market capitalisation of the Muscat Stock Exchange rose to OMR33.89 billion by the end of the week's trading, recording weekly gains of OMR387.7 million, benefiting from the rise in share prices. The market capitalisation of the bonds and sukuk market also rose by OMR120.8 million to reach OMR5.25 billion. The Muscat Stock Exchange also listed the 80th issue of government development bonds (GDBs) worth OMR100 million with an annual interest rate of 4.05 percent, and the 81st issue of government development bonds worth OMR25 million with an annual interest rate of 4.3 percent.
Trading value during the week amounted to OMR216.9 million, compared to OMR235.1 million in the week before, recording a decline of 7.7 percent. The number of transactions executed recorded a decline of 2.5 percent, from 25,654 transactions to 24,998 transactions.
During the week, investors targeted shares of Bank Muscat, Bank Sohar, OQ Exploration and Production, OQ Basic Industries, Omantel, and OQ Gas Networks. Bank Muscat shares topped the list of most traded companies in terms of trading value at OMR42.5 million, representing 19.6 percent of the total trading value. Bank Sohar International came next with trades valued at OMR40 million and OQ Exploration and Production ranked third with trades worth OMR28.3 million.
The week also saw the prices of 39 securities rise, compared to 36 securities whose prices declined and 20 securities that remained unchanged at their previous levels. National Biscuit Industries stock recorded the best rise, increasing by 10 percent and closing at OMR5.445. Muscat Gases stock rose by 8 percent and closed at 135 baisa. Muscat Thread Mills stock rose to 219 baisa, recording an increase of 6.8 percent. Bank Sohar International stock rose by 6.7 percent and closed at 175 baisa. Dhofar International Development and Investment stock recorded an increase of 5.3 percent and closed at 274 baisa.
The financial services stock led the losing stocks, declining by 8 percent. Salalah Port Services stock fell by 6.9 percent and closed at 400 baisa. Al Madina Investment Holding stock dropped by 6.6 percent and closed at 42 baisa. Dhofar Insurance stock recorded a decline of 5.6 percent and closed at 251 baisa.
