Index up 12.01 points

Late buying on Monday on expectations of early introduction of leverage product supported the KSE-100 index to close in positive at 12,427.36 points with a modest gain of 12.01 points. After positive opening, the market witnessed mixed trend with the index oscillating between 12,454.59 points intra-day high and 12,391.74 points low levels.
However, following the news regarding early launch of leverage product invited fresh buying in late hours that supported the index to close in positive. Trading remained low and the volume at ready counter amounted to 109.024 million shares as compared to 131.717 million shares traded on the last trading session. Market capitalisation increased by Rs 5 billion to Rs 3.360 trillion.
Of 393 active scrips, 219 closed in positive and 160 in negative, while the values of 14 scrips remained unchanged. Nimir Ind Chemical was the volume leader with 30.141 million shares and gained Re 0.90 to close at Rs 3.11. Lotte Pakistan PTA inched up by Re 0.26 to close at Rs 16.64 with 14.854 million shares. Azgard Nine increased by Re 0.32 to close at Rs 11.60 with 6.551 million shares. Dewan Salman inched up by Re 0.22 to close at Rs 3.14 with 5.375 million shares.
Nishat (Chunian) gained Re 0.29 to close at Rs 26.08 with 3.218 million shares. Jahangir Siddiqui Co inched up by Re 0.05 to close at Rs 11.64 with 2.965 million shares. KESC increased by Re 0.23 to close at Rs 2.93 with 2.742 million shares. Netsol Technologies lost Re 0.10 to close at Rs 26.92 with 2.084 million shares. PIAC (A) gained Re 0.30 to close at Rs 2.77 with 2.059 million shares. Engro Polymer inched up by Re 0.04 to close at Rs 13.05 with 1.959 million shares.
Rafhan Maize and Unilever Pak were the highest gainers increasing by Rs 120.32 and Rs 37.95 to close at Rs 2540.62 and Rs 4423.60 respectively, while Colgate Palmolive and Lakson Tobacco were the worst losers declining by Rs 34.97 and Rs 6.90 to close at Rs 925.03 and Rs 270.85 respectively.
Ahsan Mehanti at Arif Habib Investments said that the market witnessed mixed trend. However, late buying in some select stocks supported the index to close in positive with modest gains. He said that expectations of launch of MTS this month, after SECP chairman met KSE members to discuss leverage product, invited fresh buying at the bourse.