· Market took a banter today with a major slide of 830pts during the session and closing the session -738pts (unadjusted). Although overall leverage has come down, the stocks which sustained high levels of leverage positions (including NETSOL, TRG, ATRL and NRL) came crashing down after failing to make forward move. Besides lockdown concerns due to rapid spread of Corona in Punjab, investors became perturbed due to IMF conditionalities (post resumption of Program) that hints of rising cost of production for the industries as well as withdrawal of tax exemptions that has seen no end, unless the matter is deliberated and finalized in the Finance Act (i.e. upcoming Budget). Selling pressure was witnessed across the board, with major contribution from Technology & Banking sector stocks. Among scrips, TRG topped the volumes with 24.3M shares, followed by DSL (24.3M) and SILK (20M).

· The Index closed at 43,548pts as against 44,301pts showing a decline of 753pts (-1.7% DoD). Sectors contributing to the performance include Technology (-142pts), Banks (-136pts), Cement (-88pts), E&P (-60pts) and Textile (-48pts).

· Volumes increased from 266.8mn shares to 302.8mn shares (+13% DoD). Average traded value on the contrary declined by 7% to reach US$ 87.3mn as against US$ 93.6mn.

· Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include TRG, DSL, SILK, BYCO and PRL, which formed 34% of total volumes.

· Stocks that contributed positively to the index include ENGRO (+44pts), KAPCO (+5pts), EFUG (+3pts), HCAR (+1pts) and ABOT (+1pts). Stocks that contributed negatively include TRG (-94pts), SYS (-47pts), HBL (-42pts), LUCK (-41pts) and UBL (-32pts).