Muscat: The MSX’s main index rose by 56 points to close at 4,329, driven by increased buying activity from local investment institutions and optimistic sentiment around national economic performance. Among sector indices, the industrial index led the charge with a gain of 165 points, followed closely by the financial sector which added 175 points. The Shariah index edged up 11 points, while the services sector saw a modest rise of 3 points.

Of the listed securities, 40 recorded price gains, 22 declined, and 23 remained unchanged. Trading value saw a sharp 97% increase, rising from RO 13.9 million to RO 27.5 million. The number of transactions also surged by 47%, from 4,539 to 6,686 deals.

The market’s total value grew by RO 85 million during the week, reaching RO 27.142 billion by the close of trading. This growth came in the face of global financial uncertainty, including fresh U.S. tariffs impacting international trade and mixed performance across major world markets.

Trading data highlighted a notable spike in industrial stock activity, buoyed by strong Q1 results and optimistic projections for continued sectoral growth in 2025.