Muscat – Insurance companies operating in Oman increased their total investments by 16.2% to RO903.3mn at the end of the second quarter of 2026, compared with RO777.6mn a year earlier, according to unaudited statistical data issued by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

The growth reflects an increase in investment assets held by insurers, which allocate funds across various investment instruments and markets.

The FSA said insurance companies manage their investment portfolios in accordance with the Regulations on the Investment of Assets of Insurance and Takaful Companies. The regulations set out the requirements, controls and limits governing investments across different asset classes, supporting risk management and the financial soundness of insurers.

National insurance companies accounted for RO599.5mn of the sector’s total investments, while foreign insurance companies held RO303.8mn. National companies therefore represented approximately two-thirds of total investments.

The data also showed that national insurance companies directed around 80% of their investments towards the domestic market, with the remaining 20% invested overseas. For foreign insurance companies, approximately 86% of their investments were allocated within Oman.

The figures highlight the growing investment activity of insurance companies in Oman, with domestic markets accounting for a substantial share of their portfolios. As institutional investors, insurers channel funds into a range of financial assets, including deposits, bonds and equities.

Cash and bank deposits accounted for the largest share of investments by national insurance companies, at RO269.2mn, representing nearly 45% of their total investments.

Investments by national companies also included RO87.3mn in commercial bonds, RO77.4mn in government bonds and RO76mn in listed equities. Investment funds accounted for RO55.6mn, while real estate investments stood at RO28.9mn.

At the sector level, investments within Oman increased by 14.7% compared with the second quarter of 2025. Investment funds recorded the strongest growth among the listed domestic investment categories, rising by 114.1%, followed by listed equities at 69.5% and commercial bonds at 51.5%. Investments in unlisted equities increased by 39.9%, while cash and deposits rose by 3.2%.

In contrast, investments in government bonds and real estate declined by 1.2% and 2.2%, respectively.

Insurance companies’ investments outside Oman increased by 23.4% over the same period. Overseas investments in commercial bonds rose by 56%, while cash and deposits increased by 24.9%, investment funds by 22.7% and government bonds by 13.3%.

However, investments in overseas listed equities declined by 28.8%, while loans secured by life insurance policies fell by 19%.

The four largest investors accounted for approximately 44% of the sector’s total investments. Dhofar Insurance ranked first, with investments of RO113.3mn, followed by Gulf Insurance Group (Gulf) with RO108.2mn and Liva Insurance with RO101.4mn. Oman Qatar Insurance ranked fourth, with investments of RO76.9mn.