MSX Surges 8.3% in October: What This Rally Means for Investors and Business Growth in Oman
MUSCAT, NOVEMBER 3 — The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) has distinguished itself as the top-performing market in the GCC during October 2025, extending its winning streak to four consecutive months with an impressive 8.3% gain. The MSX Index closed the month at 5,610.34 points, its highest level in eight years, marking a significant milestone in Oman’s capital market development.
According to the latest report from Kamco Invest, the index’s rise was driven by broad gains across all three sectoral indices, buoyed by strong trading activity and investor optimism. The Services Index led the charge with a 9.0% increase, closely followed by the Financials Index, which climbed 8.3% to finish at 9,228.6 points. The Financials sector’s growth was notably supported by significant share price gains in key companies such as Ominvest (+25.8%) and Sohar International (+9.6%). Similarly, the Services sector saw robust performances from Salalah Port Services Co (+23.5%) and Al Batinah Power Co (+26.8%). The Industrials Index recorded a more modest rise of 2.9%, reflecting mixed results across its constituent firms.
Among individual stocks, Asyad Shipping Company led the monthly performance with a remarkable 35.9% surge. This jump follows the company’s recent acquisition of three Newcastlemax Dry Bulk Carriers valued at approximately $209 million, aligning with its strategy for fleet expansion and regional growth. National Aluminium Products Co also posted strong results with a 29.4% increase, while Al Batinah Power Co advanced 26.8% after reporting nine-month net earnings of RO 16.35 million, up from RO 15.97 million the previous year, driven largely by reduced finance costs.
On the downside, Financial Corporation Co experienced the steepest decline with shares falling 14.3%. Al Maha Ceramics Co and Muscat Insurance Co also faced losses of 13.9% and 11.2%, respectively.
Trading activity surged notably on the MSX during October, with total traded volume increasing by 132.4% to 5.4 billion shares, compared to 2.3 billion shares in September 2025. The total value of shares traded rose by 109.7% to RO 1.1 billion, up from RO 505 million the previous month. Sohar International led the market in both value and volume traded, with RO 1.4 billion worth of transactions and 221.1 million shares exchanged. OQ Base Industries and Asyad Shipping Company followed closely, with trading values of RO 995.0 million and RO 835.1 million, respectively.
Regionally, GCC equity markets posted gains for the second consecutive month amid improved investor sentiment and easing global financial conditions. The MSCI GCC Index increased by 1.2% in October, aided by progress in trade negotiations between the United States and its partners, as well as 25 basis-point rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve and most GCC central banks. Qatar was the only market to decline, slipping 0.9% due to weakness in large-cap stocks.
Oman’s standout performance positioned it as the GCC’s best-performing market for October and the second strongest since the start of 2025, with total year-to-date gains of 22.6%, just narrowly behind Kuwait’s 22.7% rise. This reflects growing confidence in Oman’s financial markets and economic resilience.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Oman’s Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) leading the GCC with an 8.3% gain in October 2025 signals robust investor confidence and economic resilience, creating an opportune environment for businesses to leverage capital market growth. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should consider capitalizing on sectors like Services and Financials, which show strong momentum, while monitoring risks in underperforming firms to optimize portfolio strategies. This momentum also underscores Oman’s rising regional prominence, encouraging cross-sector investments and strategic expansions.
