Muscat Stock Exchange leads GCC in first-half 2026 performance

The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) has emerged as the leading stock market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for the first half of 2026. Its main index climbed an impressive 28 percent, surpassing the 7,500-point mark. This remarkable performance also saw the MSX lead Gulf markets in trading value growth, which experienced a staggering 650 percent increase, nearing OMR7 billion. Furthermore, eight Omani companies made it onto the list of the top 30 GCC stocks based on price appreciation.

This success is attributed to growing investor confidence in the MSX and its potential for investment returns. The exchange has demonstrated its capacity to navigate international economic shifts and capitalize on the improved performance and positive disclosures from public shareholding companies in recent months. While other Gulf stock exchanges faced volatility due to regional geopolitical tensions, with most recording declines, the MSX and the Saudi market managed to close higher.

The MSX index reached record levels multiple times in the first half of the year. It hit 6,000 points in January, a new high of 7,000 points in February, and surged to 8,000 points by March 29, its best performance since 2008. Although it briefly touched 8,397 points in early May, profit-taking pressures led it to close June at 7,507 points, a gain of 1,641 points over six months.

The exchange's strong showing was bolstered by the performance of various listed sectors, including banking, investment, telecommunications, energy, and industrial companies. Increased liquidity from local and Gulf investment funds, alongside robust individual purchases driven by improving local economic indicators and company profits, fueled this growth. The total market capitalization of the MSX rose by OMR4.71 billion to OMR36.72 billion by the end of the first half, with total trading value reaching OMR6.9 billion, a significant jump from OMR917.2 million in the same period last year.