MUSCAT: The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) recorded its highest weekly trading volume of 2025 last week, driven by strong activity in banking shares, OQ Group subsidiaries and other major listed firms. The surge coincided with the release of most companies’ preliminary financial results for the third quarter.
Trading volume reached RO 240.9 million, up 26.2 per cent from RO 190.8 million in the previous week, while the number of executed transactions rose to 25,171 from 19,529.
Sohar International led trading, accounting for 21.4 per cent of total value, with trades worth RO 51.6 million. Bank Muscat followed with RO 42.8 million, OQ Base Industries ranked third with RO 35.8 million, Asyad Shipping came fourth with RO 28.6 million and OQ Gas Networks took fifth place with RO 24.5 million — representing 10.1 per cent of total traded value.
The MSX main index added 40 points to close at 5,289 points. The financial index gained 169 points to reach 8,923, the industrial index climbed 32 points and the services index edged up by 4 points. Meanwhile, the Sharia index slipped 4 points to close at 461.
Despite the trading surge, total market value declined to RO 30.597 billion, down by RO 108.5 million, largely due to a fall in the bonds and sukuk market, which slipped below RO 5 billion. The decline was also influenced by a drop in shares on the parallel market, including OQ Exploration and Production, which fell by 16 baisas, reducing its market value by RO 128 million to RO 2.592 billion.
Last week saw 38 securities advance, 30 decline and 30 remain unchanged. Al Anwar Investments posted the highest gains, up 14.4 per cent to 103 baisas, followed by Leva Group (13.4 per cent), Oman and Emirates Investment Holding (11.4 per cent), Oman Qatar Insurance (9.7 per cent) and Al Jazeera Steel Products (9 per cent).
The biggest loser was Al Anwar Ceramic Tiles, down 10.9 per cent to 146 baisas, while Muscat Finance dropped 7.2 per cent, Al Madina Investment 6.9 per cent, Al Maha Ceramics 6.4 per cent; and OQ Exploration and Production 4.7 per cent.
In corporate updates, Al Batinah Power and Al Suwadi Power announced discussions with Nama Power and Water Procurement Company for a new power purchase agreement (PPA) to replace their existing one expiring in March 2028. Both firms submitted proposals on September 28, including options for agreements lasting up to 15 years.
Separately, Sembcorp Salalah confirmed it has signed a new power and water purchase agreement with Nama, effective from April 2027 to April 2037. — ONA
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