KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange Friday secured another historic achievement when it crossed psychological barrier of 49,000 points as benchmark 100-index gained 324.60 points to reach 49038.23 points level.
The stocks recorded the highest trading level of 49104.04 points and lowest level of 48713.63 points, with the volume of over 430 million shares and value of Rs 20.66 billion. As many as 400 companies were active; of which 247 advanced, 136 declined and 17 remained unchanged.
Dost Steels Ltd was the volume leader with 51.08 million shares, gaining Rs 0.98 to finish at Rs 14.26. It was followed by Aisha Steel Mill with 30.99 million shares, adding Rs 1.00 to end at Rs 18.71 and Azgard Nine with 29.06 million shares, gaining Rs 0.68 to close at Rs 9.23.
The top three gainers were Wyeth Pak Ltd with price per share of 5124.60 (225.60), ICI Pakistan with price per share of 1038.13 (49.43) and Service Ind Ltd share of 1522.86 (47.86).
The top three losers were Unilever Foods with price per share of 5630 (-270), Bata (Pak) with price per share of 4200 (-100) and Pak Tobacco per share of 1300.68 (-68.31).
Earlier, the stocks opened bullish and added 232 points to reach 48945.56 points level in early trading. The upward rally at the Pakistan Stock Exchange continued till midday and gained 268 points to take the tally to 48981 points level. The benchmark 100-index even crossed the psychological barrier of 49,000 mark and reached 49020 points level but slightly dropped till midday break.
On Thursday, the range bound activity was observed at PSX, as a result shares index gained 8.64 points or (0.02%) to close at 48,713 level. Volatility persisted in the market as the index traded between an intraday high of 229 points and an intraday low of 63 points and finally to close slightly in the green zone. Recovery was seen in the Fertiliser sector, as the sector gained 0.5 percent with FFC (rose 1.73%) and EFERT (1.67%) top performers in the sector. ASL (rose 3.93%) was today’s volume leader with 24 million shares traded. Overall, volumes decreased by 18.3 percent to 329 million shares, while value decreased by 17 percent to Rs18 billion.
