MUSCAT: The Muscat Stock Exchange reported a substantial drop in total trading value, which fell to RO 11.24 million—a 35.3% decrease compared to RO 17.36 million in the previous session. This decline underscores a cautious investor sentiment and reflects reduced market participation during the session. The sharp downturn raises concerns about short-term market momentum and liquidity levels.
Despite the notable drop in trading value, the market value only registered a slight decline of 0.011%, bringing the total to approximately RO 28.30 billion. This marginal dip indicates that while trade volumes were down, the overall valuation of listed companies remained largely stable. It suggests limited price volatility during the session.
Foreign investment behavior during the session further highlighted market unease. Non-Omani purchases reached RO 566,000, making up just 5.03% of the total trades, while non-Omani sales were significantly higher at RO 1.609 million, or 14.32% of total trades. The imbalance led to a net foreign investment outflow, contributing to a weakening sentiment.
The session concluded with a net foreign outflow of RO 1.044 million, equivalent to a 9.29% reduction in foreign investment. This figure points to decreased foreign confidence in the market’s short-term prospects, potentially influenced by global economic uncertainty or regional developments. The shift emphasizes the need for initiatives to boost investor confidence and market depth.
