Closing Bell: Boomerang!

August 5, 2020 (MNL): The KSE-100 index made a strong comeback after delivering a dud yesterday, as it gained around 305 points to close the session at 39,882-mark. It is to be noted that the index is just a few points away from crossing the 40,000-level.

The trading activity was boosted by favorable economic data released in the past few days, especially that of international trade. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country’s exports during the month of July increased by 25.08 percent to USD 2 billion, as compared to USD 1.599 billion in June 2020. On the contrary, imports in July 2020 decreased by 2.12 percent, clocking in at USD 3.64 billion compared to USD 3.719 billion in June 2020.

Besides this, the market was lifted by the announcements made by several companies throughout the session, some of which include the Medium Term Note (MTN) Program of up to PKR 50 billion by Bank Alfalah Limited, and the approved expansion/diversification plans of subsidiaries by Ghani Global Holdings.

According to the coverage by Aba Ali Habib Securities, the news of an increase in cement dispatches also supported the index to remain largely in the green zone.

The Index traded in a range of 508.98 points or 1.29 percent of previous close, showing an intraday high of 39,935.90 and a low of 39,426.92.

Of the 95 traded companies in the KSE100 Index 64 closed up 30 closed down, while 1 remained unchanged. Total volume traded for the index was 296.17 million shares.

Sectors propping up the index were Cement with 165 points, Oil & Gas Exploration Companies with 55 points, Technology & Communication with 37 points, Textile Composite with 22 points and Oil & Gas Marketing Companies with 17 points.

The most points added to the index was by LUCK which contributed 49 points followed by TRG with 37 points, DGKC with 28 points, MLCF with 25 points and CHCC with 22 points.

Sector wise, the index was let down by Fertilizer with 23 points, Commercial Banks with 21 points, Tobacco with 14 points, Sugar & Allied Industries with 2 points and Inv. Banks / Inv. Cos. / Securities Cos. with 2 points.

The most points taken off the index was by UBL which stripped the index of 17 points followed by ENGRO with 16 points, PAKT with 14 points, BAHL with 14 points and FFC with 13 points.

All Share Volume decreased by 92.04 Million to 501.95 Million Shares. Market Cap increased by Rs.41.78 Billion.

Total companies traded were 405 compared to 422 from the previous session. Of the scrips traded 248 closed up, 139 closed down while 18 remained unchanged.

Total trades decreased by 36,742 to 164,171.

Value Traded decreased by 4.26 Billion to Rs.22.29 Billion

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