KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange on Friday continued to remain bearish over profit–taking and shed 180.80 to drop to 49300.90 points level.
The stocks recorded the highest trading level of 49575.32 points and lowest level of 49238.05 points, with the volume of over 290 million shares and value of Rs16.13 billion. As many as 375 companies were active; of which 142 advanced, 218 declined and 15 remained unchanged.
Aisha Steel Mill was the volume leader with 29.07 million shares, shedding Rs 0.71 to finish at Rs 25.37. It was followed by Engro Polymer with 21.73 million shares, losing Rs 0.16 to end at Rs 28.84 and TRG Pak Ltd with 15.67 million shares, dropping Rs 0.96 to close at Rs 56.81.
The top three gainers were Unilever Foods with price per share of 6400 (290), Nestle Pakistan with price per share of 9199.99 (185.98) and Sanofi-Aventis share of 2476.72 (117.93).
The top three losers were Rafhan Maize with price per share of 7035.42 (-164.58), Ferozsons (Lab) with price per share of 540.33 (-28.43) and Island Textile share of 967.50 (-24.49).
Earlier, the stocks opened keeping previous day’s bearish note and further shed 66 points to reach 49416 points level in early trading. The bearish note continued to prevail at the PSX as the benchmark 100-index dropped 107 points to reach 49375 points level till midday.
On Thursday, the stocks closed lower amid pressure on institutional profit-taking post major earnings announcements at PSX. Volatility prevailed in the market during the initial hours of the trade as the index continuously juggled between the positive and negative zones. Selling pressure was witnessed in the market during the latter hours as the index lost around 346 points or (0.69pc) and to close at 49,482 level. Overall, volumes increased by 24 percent d/d to 399 million shares while traded value declined 12 percent to Rs14.7 billion.
