Muscat: Trading activity on the Muscat Stock Exchange witnessed increased participation from local retail investors following the completion of first-quarter financial results and the exchange’s annual review of listed companies.

The exchange recently revised the classification of companies across the regular, parallel and follow-up markets based on several criteria, including shareholder equity, return on investment, trading activity, stock turnover and trading volume.

As part of the changes, which came into effect on May 7, 19 companies were moved from the parallel market to the main market, while one company was shifted from the main market to the parallel market. Two companies were also transferred from the follow-up market to the parallel market after meeting shareholder rights requirements.

Following the restructuring, the number of companies listed on the main market rose from 24 to 43, while companies on the parallel market declined from 72 to 56. The follow-up market also saw a reduction from 17 companies to 14.

Data from the exchange showed that Omani individual investors bought shares worth RO 80.6 million during the week, accounting for 22.1 per cent of total trading value, compared to sales worth RO 75.3 million, representing 20.7 per cent of total trades.

The number of transactions executed during the week increased by 11.7 per cent, rising from 27,000 to more than 30,000 transactions, supported by stronger retail buying activity. However, total trading value slipped slightly by 1.7 per cent from RO 370.1 million to RO 363.6 million.

Sectoral indices on the exchange recorded positive performances, although the main index fell by around 19 points to close at 8,350 points amid selling pressure on several heavyweight stocks.

The services sector index posted the strongest gains, climbing 61 points to close at 3,328 points, driven by gains in shares of Asyad Shipping, Abraj Energy Services, Sembcorp Salalah and Al Anqa Energy. The financial sector index rose 28 points to 13,267 points, while the industrial sector index gained 23 points to close at 10,214 points. The Sharia index also edged up by 6 points to 662 points.

Despite the positive sectoral movement, the market capitalisation of listed securities declined by RO 93.6 million to stand at RO 38.3 billion by the end of the week.

Among the most actively traded stocks, OQ Exploration and Production led in trading value at RO 67.2 million, representing 18.4 per cent of total trading. The stock initially climbed to 548 baisa before heavy selling dragged it down to 510 baisa, marking a weekly decline of 7 baisa.

Bank Muscat followed with trades worth RO 66.1 million, accounting for 18.1 per cent of total trading value, while Bank Sohar International recorded RO 56.3 million in trades. OQ Basic Industries and Omantel also ranked among the top traded firms, with trading values of RO 51.1 million and RO 43.9 million respectively.

A total of 43 securities posted gains during the week, compared to 36 that declined, while 18 securities remained unchanged.

Oman Arab Bank’s mandatory conversion bonds recorded the highest gain, surging 48.3 per cent to close at RO 1.500. Dhofar Food and Investment shares rose 17.7 per cent to 206 baisa, while Ahli Bank’s 2025 bonds gained 14.2 per cent to close at 120 baisa. Abraj Energy Services shares advanced 10.4 per cent to 495 baisa, and Sembcorp Salalah climbed 9.5 per cent to 263 baisa.

Financial Centre “Fincorp” led declines, falling 15.3 per cent to 105 baisa after weeks of gains. Oman Chlorine dropped 7.1 per cent to 195 baisa, while Omantel declined 4.5 per cent to RO 1.479. Bank Muscat shares also fell 3.7 per cent to close at 458 baisa.