MUSCAT : The industrial sector index climbed 132 points during the week to close above the 7,900-point level, supported by gains in Al Jazeera Steel Products, Al Anwar Ceramic Tiles, Oman Cables Industry, Al Safa Foods, Voltamp Energy and Gulf International Chemicals. Over the past six weeks, the index has added more than 680 points, marking the strongest performance among all sector indices on the exchange.

Companies listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange are expected to begin releasing their 2025 financial results this week, with preliminary disclosures likely to be completed before the end of the first half of January. These announcements are expected to be a key driver of market activity in the coming weeks.

Other indices delivered mixed performances. The main index slipped below the 5,900-point level after three weeks above it, ending the week at 5,895 points, down 60 points. The services sector index declined by nine points, pressured by marginal falls in shares of OQ Gas Networks, Ooredoo and Al Suwadi Power. In contrast, the financial sector index rose by around 21 points, while the Sharia index recorded a three-point gain.

Market capitalisation of listed securities fell by RO 99.2 million over the week, closing at RO 32.117 billion. Trading activity showed mixed trends, with the number of executed transactions rising to 21,834 from 17,000 a week earlier, even as the total value of trades declined from RO 175.9 million to RO 160.5 million.

Investor attention remained focused on Bank Muscat, which accounted for 26.5 per cent of total trading value with trades worth RO 42.6 million. Bank Sohar International followed with RO 29.1 million, while OQ Exploration and Production recorded RO 27.2 million. Omantel ranked fourth with RO 15.9 million, and OQ Basic Industries placed fifth with trades worth RO 10.6 million, representing 6.6 per cent of total trading value.

During the week, prices of 40 securities rose, compared to 30 that declined and 25 that remained unchanged. Lifa Group led the gainers, surging 13.7 per cent to close at 330 baisa. Oman United Insurance rose 9.3 per cent to 339 baisa, Gulf Hotels Oman gained 8.2 per cent to RO 3.950, Musandam Power advanced 8.2 per cent to 330 baisa, and Al Jazeera Steel Products climbed 7.7 per cent to 680 baisa.

On the downside, Salalah Port Services topped the decliners, falling 8.3 per cent to 330 baisa. Oman Refreshments dropped 8 per cent to RO 1.370, Oman Chromite slipped 7.3 per cent to RO 3.800, Oman Fisheries declined 6.6 per cent to 28 baisa, and Oman Educational and Training Investments fell 5.7 per cent to RO 1.550.