Bond and sukuk issuances on MSX exceed OMR589 million

The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) has seen significant activity in its bonds and sukuk market, with new listings totaling OMR589.2 million so far this year. This figure includes four issues of government development bonds (GDBs) valued at OMR312.3 million and one sovereign sukuk issue worth OMR200 million, in addition to various other offerings from banks and corporations.

These new listings are expected to provide investors, both institutional and individual, with expanded options for regular periodic distributions, offering a potentially lower-risk alternative to stocks and other investment assets. The bond sector has listed issues 80, 81, 82, and 83 of government development bonds, with annual interest rates ranging from 4.05% to 4.30%. Additionally, bonds from Bank Sohar International (OMR25.9 million, 5.25% interest), Ahli Bank (OMR15.9 million, 6% interest), and Dhofar International Development and Investment Company (OMR30 million, 4% interest) have been listed.

In the sukuk sector, the tenth issue of sovereign sukuk was listed at OMR200 million with a 4.15% profit rate, and the first issue of Dhofar Islamic sukuk was listed at OMR5 million with a 5% profit rate. Currently, the MSX hosts a total of 68 bond and sukuk issuances. The market value of the bonds and sukuk sector has increased by OMR375 million this year, reaching approximately OMR5.3 billion by the end of the week's trading. This represents 14.2% of the MSX's total market value, which stands at OMR37.1 billion.