Muscat:  The MSM30 Index ended on a negative note to close at 6131.27 points, down by 0.35 per cent. Gulf Investment Services remained as the most active in terms of volume, while Al Maha Petroleum was the most active in terms of turnover. 

DBIH was the top gainer for the day to close up by 7.04 per cent, while Oman National Engineering and Investment lost the most, down 6.34 per cent. 

A total number of 2,081 trades were executed in yesterday's trading session generating turnover of OMR8.81 million with over 38.67 million shares traded. Out of 54 traded stocks, 14 advanced, 25 declined and 15 remained unchanged. GCC and Arab investors switched to net buyers for OMR1.11 million while Omani investors were net sellers for OMR1.10 million followed by foreign investors for OMR13,000 worth of shares. 

Financial Sector Index was down by 0.43 per cent and closed at 7301.19 points. Transgulf Holding, Gulf Investment Services, Global Finacial Investment Services, Global Financial Investment Services, Oman & Emirates and Al Sharqia Investment increased by 2.50 per cent, 2.44 per cent, 0.92 per cent, 0.87 per cent and 0.76 per cent, respectively. Ahli Bank, Al Anwar Holding, HSBC Bank Oman and United Finance fell by 1.60 per cent, 1.60 per cent, 1.58 per cent and 1.09 per cent, respectively. 

The Industrial Sector Index closed at 8361.31 points, marginally up by 0.05 per cent. National Aluminim Products, Oman Fisheries, Al Anwar Ceramic and Oman Refreshment increased by 5.81 per cent, 0.88 per cent, 0.66 per cent and 0.53 per cent, respectively. Construction Material Industries, Al Hassan Engineering, Dhofar Cattlefeed, Voltamp Energy and Galfar Engineering declined by 2.99 per cent, 1.65 per cent, 1.37 per cent, 1.23 per cent and 1.08 per cent, respectively. 

Services Sector Index closed at 3237.62 points, down by 0.17 per cent. ACWA Power Barka and Al Maha Marketing increased by 5.21 per cent and 0.12 per cent, respectively. Oman National Engineering, Port Service Corp, Al Jazeira Services, Oman Telecom and Nawras declined by 6.34 per cent, 2.16 per cent, 0.83 per cent, 0.67 per cent and 0.54 per cent, respectively.

du rallied to the highest level in more than four years as investors seek to take advantage of the United Arab Emirates phone operator's bigger dividend payout.

Shares of the company formally known as Emirates Integrated Telecommunications rose 3.8 per cent to Dh4.89, the strongest level since October 2008, at the close in Dubai. The stock was the second-most traded by value on the benchmark DFM General Index, which gained 1 percent.

Du is set to pay a 2012 cash dividend of 30 fils a share, double its payout a year earlier, to shareholders of record by March 31, according to data. 

The UAE phone companies are benefiting from a recovery in Dubai, whose economy probably expanded 5 per cent in 2012, the fastest pace since 2007, according to government estimates. du's fourth-quarter net income more than doubled, beating estimates.

Du's stock has rallied 40 per cent this year after its market share increased to about 49 per cent. That's more than double the advance for the benchmark gauge in the same period. 

Shares of Abu Dhabi-based competitor Emirates Telecommunications (etisalat) added 14 per cent.