The KSE-100 index on Thursday increased by 90.40 points to close at 13,451.07 points on the back of local investors support after mid session. The foreign investors however remained net sellers and withdrew $2.16 million from the local equity market.
After positive opening, the investors opted for profit taking and the index dropped into negative at 13,278.44 points intra-day low level. However fresh buying after mid session supported the index to not only recover its intra-day losses but also to register healthy gain.
Trading volumes at ready counter stood at 336.913 million shares as compared to 347.208 million shares traded on Wednesday. Total market capitalisation increased by Rs 21 billion to Rs 3.488 trillion. Of the total 386 active stocks, 195 closed in positive and 134 in negative zone while the value of 57 stocks remained unchanged.
BoP was the volume leader with 26.227 million shares and gained Re 0.46 to close at Rs 9.55. In the other banking sector stocks, NIB Bank inched up by Re 0.08 to close at Rs 2.81 with 18.634 million shares while JS Bank lost Re 0.27 to close at Rs 6.86 with 11.010 million shares.
Lafarge Pakistan, Dewan Cement, Fauji Cement and DG Khan Cement increased by Re 0.35, Re 0.78, Re 0.27 and Re 0.76 to close at Rs 3.46, Rs 4.19, Rs 5.50 and Rs 30.98 with 18.766 million shares, 18.444 million shares, 12.579 million shares and 12.291 million shares respectively.
TRG Pakistan lost Re 0.34 to close at Rs 3.65 with 15.366 million shares. Pace (Pak) Limited decreased by Re 0.23 to close at Rs 2.75 with 13.743 million shares. Arif Habib Co declined by Re 0.49 to close at Rs 32.09 with 10.070 million shares.
Nestle Pak and Unilever Food were the highest gainers increasing by Rs 196.21 and Rs 88.19 to close at Rs 4299.00 and Rs 1880.50 respectively while Unilever Pak and Siemens Pakistan were the worst losers declining by Rs 44.08 and Rs 36.33 to close at Rs 5705.92 and Rs 753.11 respectively. Ahsan Mehanti at Arif Habib Corp said that Pakistan stocks closed bullish led by oil, cements and financial services on strong valuations.
He said volatility witnessed in KSE-100 index on rising political noise and institutional profit-taking. Accumulation continued in stocks led by second and third tier scrips ahead of reformed CGT regime implementation from April 1, higher global commodities and stocks played a catalyst role in bullish sentiment post major earning announcements at KSE. Trading volumes remained higher on renewed foreign interest, easing circular debt concerns in power sector after US offer for help to overcome energy crises in the country, he added.