Pfizer’s announcement of COVID vaccine turned global markets positive with the hope of resumption of pre-COVID business activities. International crude oil prices went through the roof by jumping +9% DoD, whereas US markets went up by 5% and closed +2.5%. Regional markets followed suit, however, the jump in the indices averaged 1.5%. Local bourse reacted positively as well, although the exuberance was much less. Buying activity was more pronounced in E&P stocks, followed by Banks and O&GMCs, whereas Fertilizer went down by the close of session. Overall, the index posted an increase of 813pts and closed the session +375pts (unadjusted). TRG led the volumes table with 30.9M shares, followed by PRL (23.2M) and ASC (21.6M).

· The Index closed at 41,153pts as against 40,784pts showing an increase of 369pts (+0.9% DoD). Sectors contributing to the performance include E&P (+177pts), Banks (+136pts), Textile (+34pts), Fertilizer (+30pts) and O&GMCs (+24pts).

· Volumes increased from 276.7mn shares to 356.0mn shares (+29% DoD). Average traded value also increased by 59% to reach US$ 95.4mn as against US$ 60mn.

· Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include TRG, PRL, ASC, UNITY and POWER, which formed 33% of total volumes.

· Stocks that contributed positively to the index include UBL (+66pts), PPL (+62pts), OGDC (+55pts), POL (+50pts) and ENGRO (+24pts). Stocks that contributed negatively include TRG (-32pts), PAKT (-13pts), MLCF (-5pts), FFC (-5pts) and EFUG (-5pts).