PSX Closing Bell: Three Zero Seven

January 21, 2021 (MLN): Following yesterday’s muted session, the domestic equities turned positive on Thursday, by adding 307 points to the benchmark KSE-100 index and closed the trading at 45,984.46 points. This was up by 0.67% compared to yesterday’s closing figures.

The index followed the route of Asian markets that rose to new record highs on Thursday, tracking U.S. markets as investors hoped for more economic stimulus from newly inaugurated U.S. President Joe Biden to offset damage wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite recording a current account deficit of $662 million in December 2020 after a five-month surplus, the market was buoyed today due to the upcoming monetary policy which is to be announced on 22^nd January 2020. In this regard, market participants expect the MPC to announce “no change” in the policy rate for the third consecutive time.  Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Dr. Reza Baqir, will give a press conference on monetary policy after the MPC meeting.

Moreover, investors’ sentiments remained upbeat due to the upcoming corporate earnings season.

The Index remained positive throughout the session touching an intraday high of 46,142.75

Of the 94 traded companies in the KSE100 Index, 57 closed up 37 closed down, while 0 remained unchanged. The total volume traded for the index was 333.35 million shares.

Sectors propping up the index were Commercial Banks with 69 points, Cement with 67 points, Technology & Communication with 41 points, Textile Composite with 34 points and Fertilizer with 32 points.

The most points added to the index was by LUCK which contributed 43 points followed by ENGRO with 27 points, TRG with 25 points, KTML with 24 points and BAHL with 23 points.

Sector-wise, the index was let down by Vanaspati & Allied Industries with 9 points, Miscellaneous with 5 points, Automobile Assembler with 5 points, Engineering with 2 points and Automobile Parts & Accessories with 2 points.

The most points taken off the index was by MARI which stripped the index of 11 points followed by UNITY with 9 points, SHFA with 5 points, BAFL with 4 points and JLICL with 4 points.

All Share Volume increased by 129.76 Million to 606.38 Million Shares. Market Cap increased by Rs.57.08 Billion.

Total companies traded were 418 compared to 413 from the previous session. Of the scrips traded 227 closed up, 173 closed down while 18 remained unchanged.

Total trades increased by 3,346 to 148,029.

Value Traded decreased by 1.21 Billion to Rs.17.93 Billion

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