January 20, 2020 (MLN): The benchmark KSE-100 Index kicked off the first day of the week on a bearish note. The index recorded a negative close of 420 points and closed at 42,747 level as risk appetite was low due to lack of market-moving triggers.

One of the main reasons for the sluggish performance of the market was the increasing intensity across the border (LoC). According to Ismail Iqbal Securities, investors chose to book profits amid fears of rising gas prices which might lengthen the inflation period and delay easing monetary policy.

The Index traded in a range of 672.88 points or 1.56 percent of the previous close, showing an intraday high of 43,305.41 and a low of 42,632.53.

Of the 93 traded companies in the KSE100 Index, 19 closed up 72 closed down, while 2 remained unchanged. Total volume traded for the index was 116.37 million shares.

Sector-wise, the index was let down by Commercial Banks with 129 points, Fertilizer with 78 points, Cement with 50 points, Inv. Banks / Inv. Cos. / Securities Cos. with 37 points and Oil & Gas Marketing Companies with 25 points.

The most points taken off the index was by ENGRO which stripped the index of 85 points followed by EFERT with 55 points, UBL with 38 points, HBL with 37 points and DAWH with 33 points.

Sectors propping up the index were Transport with 3 points.

The most points added to the index was by FFC which contributed 56 points followed by MARI with 44 points, COLG with 11 points, BAFL with 8 points and FFBL with 8 points.

All Share Volume decreased by 37.51 Million to 173.90 Million Shares. Market Cap decreased by Rs.51.21 Billion.

Total companies traded were 353 compared to 357 from the previous session. Of the scrips traded 70 closed up, 267 closed down while 16 remained unchanged.

Total trades decreased by 67,291 to 0.

Value Traded increased by 0.76 Billion to Rs.7.05 Billion

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