PSX Closing Bell: The Downward Spiral

April 05, 2021(MLN): Bears continued to dominate the Pakistan Stock Market on Monday with the benchmark KSE-100 Index shedding nearly 753 points during the trading session to close at the 43,548-mark.

In fact, exponential growth in trade deficit data and rising coronavirus infections shattered investors’ confidence at the bourse.

According to the closing note by Arif Habib Limited, ‘Investors became perturbed due to IMF conditionalities (post resumption of Program) that hints of the rising cost of production for the industries as well as withdrawal of tax exemptions that has seen no end unless the matter is deliberated and finalized in the Finance Act (i.e. upcoming Budget).’

The Index traded in a range of 957.49 points or 2.16 percent of the previous close, showing an intraday high of 44,430.28 and a low of 43,472.79.

Of the 96 traded companies in the KSE100 Index, 13 closed up 82 closed down, while 1 remained unchanged. The total volume traded for the index was 139.20 million shares.

Sector-wise, the index was let down by Technology & Communication with 142 points, Commercial Banks with 136 points, Cement with 88 points, Oil & Gas Exploration Companies with 60 points and Textile Composite with 48 points.

The most points taken off the index was by TRG which stripped the index of 94 points followed by SYS with 47 points, HBL with 42 points, LUCK with 41 points and UBL with 33 points.

Sectors propping up the index were Fertilizer with 24 points and Miscellaneous with 1 point.

The most points added to the index was by ENGRO which contributed 44 points followed by KAPCO with 5 points, EFUG with 3 points, HCAR with 1 point and ABOT with 1 point.

All Share Volume increased by 35.96 Million to 302.80 Million Shares. Market Cap decreased by Rs.133.40 Billion.

Total companies traded were 391 compared to 379 from the previous session. Of the scrips traded 61 closed up, 322 closed down while 8 remained unchanged.

Total trades increased by 9,241 to 125,016.

Value Traded decreased by 0.96 Billion to Rs.13.42 Billion

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