Muscat: The main index of the Muscat Stock Exchange rebounded last week after five consecutive weeks of decline, driven by increased investor interest in the shares of several companies ahead of the conclusion of the annual dividend distribution season.

According to Qatar News Agency, the index closed at 4,410 points by the end of last week's trading, gaining 23 points. The financial sector index rose by 24 points, the industrial sector index climbed 39 points, while the services sector index increased by 4 points. The Sharia-compliant index recorded the sole decline, dropping to 392 points, down by 3 points.

The total trading value more than doubled last week, surging from OMR 25.3 million to OMR 55.3 million, buoyed by strong investor demand for bank shares. The number of executed transactions also increased, rising from 4,064 to 4,499.

By the end of last week, the market capitalization of securities listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange reached OMR 27.654 billion, registering gains of OMR 41.3 million.

During the week, the prices of shares for 28 companies rose, while 36 companies saw their share prices drop, and 23 companies' shares remained stable.