Omani Stocks Head for Best Week Since 2014 on Bid for EM Status

Article content(Bloomberg) — Omani stocks are heading for their best week in more than a decade as optimism builds that the Gulf bourse’s push to be classified as an emerging market would unlock fresh investor inflows.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentMuscat’s MSX 30 benchmark has advanced more than 9% since Sunday to its highest level since 2014. Gains of nearly 20% so far this year are almost double those for MSCI Inc.’s emerging-market index.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentThe rally reflects growing anticipation that Oman could secure an MSCI upgrade as trading volumes improve and a spate of recent listings deepen the market, said Shahrukh Saleem, a portfolio analyst at Mashreq Capital. The bourse is aiming to meet MSCI’s requirements this year and secure inclusion by 2028 at the latest.Article contentArticle contentAdmission to an EM-index by providers such as MSCI or FTSE Russell typically boost bourses by generating demand from passive investment trackers and broadening the investor base. Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article content“Oman has been the best-performing Gulf equity market year-to-date, driven primarily by large-cap stocks, which are expected to be the primary beneficiaries of any index‑driven inflows,” Saleem said. Oman’s macroeconomic backdrop remains supportive, underpinned by steady foreign investment inflows and policies that are increasingly favorable to private-sector growth, he said.Article contentThe number of liquidity providers in Oman has also increased over the past few months, and local firms are stepping up their investor relations, further boosting stocks, according to Paolo Casamassima, executive director of investor relations and stakeholder engagement at Arqaam Capital. Article contentThe ongoing rally offers a shot in the arm for the country’s equity capital markets, which cooled in 2025 after listing volumes hit a record a year earlier. Stronger inflows would also boost the government’s privatization push and potentially lure more private players. Article contentArticle contentEnergy group OQ SAOC has been key to the drive to sell down state assets and is preparing additional initial public offerings, including in its fertilizer business. The listings of OQ’s exploration and chemical units initially struggled for months before gaining traction.Article contentAn upgrade to MSCI Emerging Markets could attract about $350 million in passive inflows overnight, roughly three times the market’s average daily traded value in 2025, according to Casamassima. An additional $970 million from active managers could be unlocked over time, he said. Article content“The market is also very close to meeting the FTSE upgrade requirements, which could attract an additional $260 million in passive inflows” shortly after inclusion, Casamassima said.Article contentTrending BlackBerry cofounder Michael Lazaridis invests in Vancouver-based AI startup Innovation Trump privately weighs quitting CUSMA trade deal he negotiated Economy Subscriber only. These are the TFSA and RRSP tricks that can make you a fortune Subscriber only Personal Finance Garry Marr: Say no to a free lunch for your RRSP today, expect fewer menu options at retirement Retirement Turning self-employed Canadians into employers could add $24 billion to GDP, new report says Entrepreneur Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. BlackBerry cofounder Michael Lazaridis invests in Vancouver-based AI startup Innovation Trump privately weighs quitting CUSMA trade deal he negotiated Economy Subscriber only. These are the TFSA and RRSP tricks that can make you a fortune Subscriber only Personal Finance Garry Marr: Say no to a free lunch for your RRSP today, expect fewer menu options at retirement Retirement Turning self-employed Canadians into employers could add $24 billion to GDP, new report says Entrepreneur