Muscat: In September, the MSX recorded significant increases across key performance indicators, including trading volume, the number of executed deals, and bond and sukuk market activity. The number of traded securities jumped 44%, from 264.3 million to 381.7 million, while the number of transactions rose by 8%, reaching 13,520 deals. Trading in bonds and sukuk climbed to RO 3.1 million, compared to RO 2.7 million in August.

OQ Gas Networks led the market with a trading value of RO 13.1 million, contributing to 18.8% of the total trading value. Bank Sohar International followed with RO 10.4 million, while the National Bank of Oman secured the third spot with RO 7.1 million, representing 10.2% of the market’s overall trading.

Despite the early gains, the MSX experienced selling pressure in the second half of the month following the announcement of the public subscription for OQ Exploration and Production, which slightly dampened the exchange’s performance. September closed with 31 securities rising, 52 declining, and 17 remaining stable. Al Batinah Development and Investment Company led the gainers, surging by 28% to close at 90 baisas, while Dhofar Food and Investment Company recorded the steepest drop, falling 29% to close at 70 baisas.

In corporate developments, Packaging Company Limited received approval from its Extraordinary General Assembly to convert from a public joint stock company to a closed joint stock company.