MUSCAT : According to market data, sectoral indices came under pressure from increased selling by individual investors, leading to a collective decline. The industrial sector index recorded the sharpest fall, dropping 79 points, followed by the services index down 25 points, the Shariah index slipping 6 points to 470, and the financial sector index easing 4 points to close at 8,167.

Despite this, the MSX saw growth in both trading value and market capitalization. Market cap rose by RO 42.8 million to reach RO 29.65 billion, while trading value climbed 3.1% to RO 125 million. However, executed transactions fell 25.5%, from 13,709 to 10,210.

Bank Sohar International dominated trading activity with transactions worth RO 32.1 million, representing 25.6% of the total value. OQ Basic Industries followed with RO 22 million, and Bank Muscat came third with RO 19.1 million, accounting for 15.3%.

In terms of stock performance, Muscat Thread Mills led the gainers with an 8.3% rise to 195 baisas, while Oman Finance Bonds gained 5.6% and Bank Sohar International rose 4.3%. On the losing side, Oman Qatar Insurance slumped 9.6% to 177 baisas, with Sembcorp Salalah and Oman Fisheries also posting steep declines.

Abraj Energy Services announced a five-year, RO 85 million contract extension with Occidental Oman for four drilling rigs, while Oman National Engineering and Investment Company secured a four-year facility management contract worth RO 6.1 million with a government entity, effective from September 1.

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