KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange Wednesday witnessed another bearish day and the benchmark 100-index shed huge 511.06 points to drop to 47577.31 points level as a census team hit by suspected suicide bombing in Lahore killing six people including four soldiers.
The stocks recorded the highest trading level of 48166.18 points and lowest level of 47523.41 points, with the volume of over 185.45 million shares and value of Rs8.88 billion. As many as 378 companies were active; of which 73 advanced, 292 declined and 13 remained unchanged.
Aisha Steel Mill was the volume leader with 13.21 million shares, shedding Rs 0.74 to finish at Rs 24.35. It was followed by Byco Petroleum with 12.52 million shares, losing Rs 0.74 to end at Rs 22.25 and Azgard Nine with 12.40 million shares, shedding Rs 0.24 to close at Rs 12.80.
The top three gainers were Colgate Palmolive with price per share of 2100 (100), Unilever Foods with price per share of 5923.18 (31.20) and Millat Tractors share of 1328.21 (17.20).
The top three losers were Wyeth Pak Ltd with price per share of 2452 (-68.47), Hinopak Motor with price per share of 1555 (-50) and Khyber Tobacco per share of 945.70 (-49.77).
Earlier, the stocks opened bearish and shed 30 points to reach 48059 points level in early trading. The bearish note further deepened at Pakistan Stock Exchange as the benchmark 100-index dropped 76 points to reach 48012 points level till midday.
On Tuesday, the stock market witnessed another lacklustre session, with investors sitting on the bench waiting for the political situation to unfold. The PSX shares index traded in a narrow band and eventually succumbed to profit-taking, closing down 139points or (0.29pc) and to finish at 48,088 levels, brokers said.
Banking sector weighed down on the index as heavy weights HBL (slip 0.91pc), UBL (1.68pc) and MCB (0.55pc) came under pressure during latter half of the day to close in red territory. Market participation thinned further; volumes declined 15 percent to 135 million shares, while traded value plunged 32 percent to Rs8.0 billion.
