KARACHI: The equity market extended previous day’s losses on Tuesday owing to concerns over new budgetary measures under planned IMF program.
The benchmark KSE-100 index of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed at 36,404 points as against 36,902 points showing a decline of 498 points. Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that the index saw a significant draw down of 765 points.
Issues contributing to the negative sentiment included a key meeting among Cement manufacturers to discuss the market share and possibly redefine the same in north and south regions.
Besides, recent resignation of FM and joining of the Advisor to Finance Ministry caused concern among investors for deferral in finalization of IMF.
In addition, future contract in the on-going rollover week attracted selling interest from investors. Cement Sector led the volumes with 19 million shares, followed by Chemical (15 million).
LOTCHEM managed to move upward though the price gains were contained. SNGP after showing phenomenal results, announced yesterday, saw lower circuit by session’s end.
Sectors contributing to the performance include Fertilizer (-66 points), Banks (-66 points), Cement (-58 points), E&P (-58 points), O&GMCs (-51 points).
Volumes continued declining trend and reached 120 million shares from 126 million shares (-5 percent DoD). Average traded value increased by 13 percent to reach US$ 35.4 million from US$ 31.3 million.
Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include LOTCHEM, KEL, SNGP, BOP and PIOC, which formed 35 percent of total volumes.
Stocks that contributed positively include MCB (+4 points), MUREB (+3 points), UBL (+2 points), FATIMA (+2 points), and MEBL (+2 points). Stocks that contributed negatively include HBL (-33 points), DAWH (-30 points), ENGRO (-23 points), OGDC (-23 points).
