· After consolidating in the past couple of sessions, the Index regained confidence today and added a total of 246pts, on the back of OGDC, PSO and otherwise the Technology sector. Profit booking brought the index down by the end of session, closing +137pts (unadjusted). Cement, Fertilizer and Refinery sectors bore selling pressure, whereas Steel, Chemical and Banking sector stocks contributed positively to the index. Flat steel players (ASL & ISL) increased prices today, which prompted an uptick in both stock prices. Among scrips, WTL topped the volumes with 50.6M shares, followed by KEL (38.9M) and TPL (36.1M).

· The Index closed at 47,737pts as against 47,628pts showing an increase of 47,491pts showing an increase of +137pts (0.3% DoD). Sectors contributing to the performance include E&P (+41pts), Technology (+37pts) Banks (+26pts), O&GMCs (+19pts) and Vanaspati (+15pts).

· Volumes declined slightly from 508.2mn shares to 506.3mn shares (-0.5% DoD). Average traded value declined by 4% to reach US$ 97mn as against US$ 101mn.

· Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include WTL, KEL, TPL, PIBTL and TPLP, which formed 36% of total volumes.

· Stocks that contributed positively to the index include OGDC (+28pts), TRG (+26pts), BAFL (+16pts), UNITY (+15pts) and PSO (+13pts). Stocks that contributed negatively include PAKT (-21pts), PSX (-15pts), HBL (-9pts), FFC (-8pts) and NML (-6pts).

(AHL)