DAILY MARKET WRAP

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended a volatile session flat on Thursday. Indices stayed in positive territory for most of the day but ultimately closed with minimal gains. Trading volume was lower than previous session.

Global equity markets showed mixed trend. Crude oil prices moved south, with WTI crude oil falling by 0.58% to $83.39. While Brent crude oil was down by 0.48% to $86.92. (As at 3:41 PM PST, Source: Investing.com).

The benchmark KSE 100 index initially climbed to intraday high of 80,888.86 with an addition of 655.19 pts. It closed the session flat by positive 49.13 pts at 80,282.80. The KMI 30 index grew by 351.70 pts to end the day at 128,730.00. While the KSE All share index appreciated by 93.04 pts ending the day at 50,864.49.

Investor activity went down from 535.97 mn shares the in the last session to 496.05 mn shares. The Bank of Punjab (BOP +2.41%) led the volume chart with 29.28 mn shares traded. Followed by PIA Holding Company Limited (PIAHCLA +8.97%) and Pak Elektron Limited (PAEL -0.86%). The scrips had 26.71 mn shares and 26.51 mn shares traded, respectively.

Sectors adding gains to the benchmark KSE 100 index included, Cement sector (+42.58 pts), Banking sector (+36.39 pts) and Oil and Gas Exploration sector (+26.41 pts). Company-wise, Lucky Cement Limited (LUCK +36.27 pts), Faysal Bank Limited (FABL +33.22 pts) and Meezan bank Limited (MEBL +29.08 pts), were top points contributors.

The Cement sector gained 0.68% in its cumulative market capitalization. Lucky Cement Limited (LUCK +1.19%), Bestway Cement Limited (BWCL +0.09%), Kohat Cement Company Limited (KOHC +1.66%) and Pioneer Cement Limited (PIOC +0.10%), all closed in green.

Values as at 04:12 PM