Muscat: Muscat Stock Exchange recorded market gains of OMR 311 million last week, pushing its total market capitalization to OMR 29.1 billion by the close of trading on Thursday. This growth was supported by rising stock prices, the listing of the 75th issuance of government development bonds, and an increase in the market capitalization of closed companies.

According to Qatar News Agency, the market capitalization of public joint-stock companies reached OMR 13.5 billion, accounting for 46.5 percent of the total market value. Meanwhile, bonds and sukuk market was valued at OMR 4.6 billion OMR, and the closed market stood at OMR 10.9 billion.

Muscat Stock Exchange listed the 75th issuance of government development bonds, with a volume of OMR 72.7 million distributed over 727,000 bonds, each valued at OMR 100 with an annual interest rate of 4.3 percent.

In terms of performance, the main index continued its upward trend, rising by 62 points to close at 4780 points. The financial sector index increased by 46 points, industrial sector index by 55 points, and services sector index by 7 points, reaching approximately 1808 points. Sharia-compliant index also rose by 9 points to close at 466 points.

Trading activity remained high, reaching around OMR 98.9 million with over 10,380 transactions executed. Sohar International Bank's shares attracted the largest share of trading, with a value of OMR 25 million (25.3 percent of the total), followed by OQ Basic Industries shares at OMR 21.3 million, then Bank Muscat at OMR 16.8 million. OQ Gas Networks shares came fourth with OMR 12.1 million, and Asyad Shipping shares ranked fifth with trades totaling OMR 8.9 million.