KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange on Tuesday witnessed a bearish day and shed 103.89 points to drop to 46476.73 level at closing.
The stocks recorded the highest trading level of 46679.69 points and lowest level of 46407.10 points, with the volume of 220 million shares and value of Rs7.90 billion. As many as 369 companies were active; of which 199 advanced, 152 declined and 18 remained unchanged.
Lotte Chemical Pakistan Ltd was the volume leader with 18.02 million shares, adding Rs0.22 to reach Rs11.13. It was followed by Engro Polymer & Chemicals Ltd with 15.48 million shares, gaining Rs0.22 to end at Rs38.90 and TRG Pakistan Ltd with 9.40 million shares, shedding Rs0.13 to close at Rs36.84.
The top three gainers were Nestle Pakistan Ltd with price per share of 12980 (121), Exide Pakistan Ltd with price per share of 434.18 (20.67) and Atlas Battery Ltd of 427.71 (20.36).
The top three losers were Colgate Palmolive (Pak) Ltd with price per share of 2946 (-153.99), Pakistan Tobacco Co Ltd with price per share of 1900 (-25) and ICI Pakistan Limited share of 865 (-15).
Earlier, the stocks opened flat at 46580 points. The Pakistan Stock Exchange shed 131.90 points to drop to 46449 level till midday.
On Monday, the PSX remained dull at the start of new week, where volumes fell by 18% vs last day. The benchmark 100-share index lost its bullish momentum of last 8 successive sessions and closed at 46,581 points with a marginal decline of 57 points.
Fertilizer sector stepped ahead in Monday’s session and contributed 84 points to index, as market is expecting better financial results of urea manufacturers for 1Q2018 owing to expected growth of around 46% YoY in urea off-takes coupled with possible reduction/elimination of GIDC on feed gas. Crescent Steel (CSAP) gained 3% as company notified exchange about award of a new contract amounting to Rs1.7b by Sui Northern Gas Pipeline (SNGPL).
Top five stocks FFC (+3.8%), EFERT (+2.0%), PPL (+0.6%), FCCL (+2.1%) & PIBTL (+3.1%) added 103 points to the index gain whereas stocks including POL (-1.3%), HBL (-0.6%), COLG (-4.8%), BAHL (-1.3%) & PSO (-1.4%) withheld 84 points from the index. Pakistan’s exports during Mar 2018 witnessed robust growth of 24% YoY, whereas imports went up by 5% YoY, resulting into trade deficit of $3b, down by 5.7% YoY.
Amreli Steels (ASTL) notified exchange about cessation of JV agreement with a Chinese company Qingdao Huijintong Power Equipment Company Limited for electrical transmission business in Pakistan.
Crescent Steels (CSAP), in its notice to exchange, stated that CSAP has been awarded with a new contract of 24 inch coated pipes valuing to Rs1.7b with an possible execution during 1QFY19.
Sazgar Engineering (SAZEW) notified exchange about its rikshaw sales volume of 1693 units during Mar 2018, down by 4% YoY.
