KARACHI: Open with positive note, the Pakistan Stock Exchange Friday lost 132.90 points in the last session over profit-taking in banking sector as the benchmark 100-index reached 41841.56 points level at closing.
The stocks recorded the highest trading level of 42121.47 points and lowest level of 41799.26 points, with the volume of about 452 million shares and value of 15.26 billion. As many as 404 companies were active; of which 167 advanced, 218 declined and 19 remained unchanged.
BoP was the volume leader with 79.22 million shares, losing Rs 0.15 to finish at Rs 18.33. It was followed by Sui South Gas with 21.08 million shares, shedding Rs 0.09 to end at Rs 44.61 and Dewan Cement with 20.84 million shares, dropping Rs 0.58 to close at Rs 31.60.
The top three gainers were Nestle Pakistan with price per share of 8369.67 (119.67), Bata (Pak) with price per share of 4200 (100) and Indus Sapphire Tex share of 1575 (75).
The top three losers were Unilever Foodswith price per share of 5700 (-170), Colgate Palmolive with price per share of 1550 (-50) and Bhanero Tex per share of 840.75 (-44.25).
Earlier, the stocks opened with positive note and gained 48 points to cross the psychological barrier of 42,000 and reached 42022.03 points level in early trading. The Pakistan Stock Exchange continued its upward rally and added another 140 points to take the tally to 42114.12 points level till midday.
On Thursday, the positive momentum continued to prevail at the Pakistan Stock Exchange as the 100-share index surged by around 231.71 points and closed at a record high of 41,974 points.
HBL and UBL contributed 145 points to the gain. Stocks gained by 3.6% and 2.1% respectively. E&P sector continued to remain under pressure on the back of downward spiraling global crude oil prices due to surging US crude stockpiles. POL (down 1.14%) was the major laggard of the aforementioned sector. However, OGDC (0.02%) closed in green on the back of reaching new levels of crude oil production, in addition to new gas explorations. Furthermore, investors booked profits in the cement sector on the back of increase in the global coal prices.
