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The Muscat Stock Exchange recorded its highest weekly trading volume of the year last week, driven by increased activity in bank stocks and other leading companies, as most public joint-stock companies concluded the release of their preliminary Q3 financial results. Trading value rose to OMR 240.9 million, up from OMR 190.8 million the previous week, marking a 26.2 percent increase. The number of executed transactions also climbed from 19,529 to 25,171. The main index gained 40 points to close at 5,289, while the financial sector index rose by 169 points to 8,923. The industrial sector index added 32 points, and the services sector index increased by 4 points. Meanwhile, the Sharia index declined by 4 points to close at 461. According to trading data released by the Muscat Stock Exchange, the total market capitalization of listed securities fell to OMR 30.596 billion, reflecting weekly losses of OMR 108.5 million, impacted by a drop in the market value of bonds and sukuk, which fell below the OMR 5 billion threshold.During the week, prices rose for 38 securities, while 30 declined and another 30 remained unchanged.

Foreign investors' net investment in South Korean stocks reached its highest level in more than 1 1/2 years last month amid expectations of improved conditions in the chip industry, central bank data showed Wednesday. Offshore investors purchased a net $4.34 billion worth of local stocks in September, marking the largest amount since February 2024, when net investment stood at $5.59 billion, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). It marked the second consecutive month of net inflows in foreign securities' investment, following $180 million in August. Foreign investors also bought $4.78 billion worth of bonds in September, rebounding from a net selling of $770 million a month earlier. "Foreign investment was focused on the electronics sector amid expectations of better conditions in the semiconductor industry," the BOK said. "The growth in bond investment was driven by rising demand for mid- to long-term bonds." According to the Korea Exchange (KRX), its semiconductor index rose 26.8 %, from 3,780.05 on Sept. 1 to 4,792.07 on Sept. 30, while the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 9 % over the same period. The central bank also noted that the Korean won weakened against the US dollar in September, falling to 1,402.9 won from August's 1,390.1 won.

European stocks declined on Tuesday, as trade fears between the US and China resurfaced, and Michelin's shares fell to its lowest level in more than two years after the French tire company cut its annual outlook. The European Stoxx 600 index dropped 0.6 percent, marking its lowest level in about two weeks after a short-lived rally on Monday. The mining sector posted the largest drop among European sectors, down 2 percent. Automakers' shares fell 1.5 percent, and Michelin plunged 9.3 percent. The shares of Germany's automotive parts maker Continental fell 3.7 percent, while Italy's tire maker Pirelli declined 2.1 percent. Meanwhile, Ericsson of Sweden (a telecommunications equipment maker) jumped 12.4 percent.

European shares were flat on Wednesday, with gains in heavyweight healthcare stocks offsetting the decline in the broader market, as investors fretted over a potential delay in the closely-watched US jobs data. The pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX), opened new tab held steady at 557.9 points, after posting its third successive monthly gain in September. Local bourses were mixed. Germany's DAX was down 0.5%, while the UK's FTSE 100 climbed 0.2% to an all-time high. Healthcare stocks jumped 2.7%, and Novartis gained 2.8%.

European shares eased on Tuesday as heavyweight energy and healthcare stocks lost ground, while investors weighed the potential impact of a US government shutdown that could delay the release of the closely-watched monthly jobs data. The pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX), opened new tab slipped 0.2% to 554.7 points, though set for its third successive monthly gain and a more than 2% gain for the quarter. Heavyweight oil and gas stocks dipped 0.8%, tracking declining oil prices. France's TotalEnergies and the UK's BP fell more than 1% each. Healthcare stocks also shed 0.3%, with Denmark's Novo Nordisk and the UK's AstraZeneca down about 1% each. On the economic data front in Europe, the UK economy grew 0.3% in the second quarter, French preliminary inflation stood at 1.1% in September and German retail sales unexpectedly fell in August. Britain's ASOS slid 11.4%.

European stocks retreated on Thursday under pressure from losses in the healthcare and industrials sectors in early trading, with focus on remarks from a number of Federal Reserve (US central bank) policymakers and data scheduled later in the day to clarify the path of monetary policy.The pan‑European STOXX 600 index fell 0.5 percent to 551.3 points.Most European stock exchanges also opened lower, with both Germany's benchmark index and the UK's FTSE 100 down 0.4 percent.The healthcare stocks index dropped 1.1 percent, with German medical technology firm Siemens Healthineers falling 6 percent.British medical device maker Smith and Nephew also slipped by 1.1 percent.Losses also included the construction and building materials sector, which fell 1.1 percent, and the industrial goods and services sector, down 0.6 percent.

European stocks rose in early trading on Monday, supported by bank shares, as investors await a busy week of central bank meetings, including the Federal Reserve's (US central bank) meeting.The Stoxx 600 index rose 0.2 percent to 556.2 points, with the interest-sensitive banking sector leading gains, up 0.8 percent.Shares of French fuel retailer Rubis rose 6.7 percent, topping the Stoxx 600 index's gainers list. The company's value is estimated at approximately USD 3.5 billion.The French CAC 40 index rose 0.4 percent, with shares of local banks such as Societe Generale up 1.3 percent, while both BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole rose about 0.9 percent.

European stocks edged lower on Friday as investors awaited key eurozone indicators and a US inflation report for signals on the timing of potential US interest rate cuts.The pan-european stock index slipped 0.2% to 552.41 points, putting it on track for its first weekly loss in a month.Markets broadly expect the US Federal Reserve to begin cutting rates in September, with traders closely monitoring upcoming economic data for confirmation of that outlook.