The investors on Tuesday opted for profit taking on available margins and the benchmark KSE-100 index lost 40.36 points to close at 15,388.13 points. During the session the market witnessed mixed trend with the index oscillating between 15,465.56 points intra-day high and 15,373.43 points intra-day low levels.
Trading activities also reduced as the volumes at ready counter declined to 182.971 million shares as compared to 200.619 million shares traded on Monday. Total market capitalization reduced by eight billion rupees to stand at Rs 3.923 trillion. Of the total 332 active stocks, 165 closed in negative and 139 in positive while the value of 28 stocks remained unchanged.
Maple Leaf Cement was the volume leader with 17.455 million shares and gained Re 0.45 to close at Rs 8.71. In the other cement sector stocks, Fauji Cement, DG Khan Cement and Dewan Cement increased by Re 0.05, Re 0.07 and Re 0.06 to close at Rs 6.77, Rs 51.51 and Rs 4.95 with 10.126 million shares, 5.384 million shares and 5.348 million shares respectively. PTCL closed at Rs 19.03, down Re 0.01 with 15.795 million shares. Pak Elektron inched up by Re 0.69 to close at Rs 9.51 with 11.205 million shares. WorldCall Telecom lost Re 0.20 to close at Rs 2.85 with 9.460 million shares.
Engro Foods surged by Rs 1.08 to close at Rs 74.13 with 8.905 million shares. Jahangir Siddiqui Co decreased by Re 0.49 to close at Rs 14.08 with 7.943 million shares. KESC gained Re 0.06 to close at Rs 6.10 with 5.755 million shares. Rafhan Maize and Indus Dyeing were the top gainers increasing by Rs 189.2 and Rs 19.01 to close at Rs 4198.00 and Rs 399.21 respectively, while Bata (Pak) Limited and Mithchells Fruit were the top losers declining by Rs 24.71 and Rs 16.00 to close at Rs 1099.99 and Rs 343.00 respectively.
Hasnain Asghar Ali at Escorts Capital said that early highs those missed the volumes failed to find momentum as various stocks from the frontline category struggled to invite renewed buying, thus keeping the benchmark in "no mans land" tilted towards negativity, low priced cement and communication stocks kept the turnover ticking, besides sustain gains. The funds those moved in and out of E&P stocks did increased activity, net impact on benchmark however stayed negative since OGDCL stayed under selling spree, decline in the heavy weight thus disallowed 15,400 levels to sustain.
He said last round of corporate announcements likely to end by mid-September and absence of connecting triggers is likely to force the rally to succumb to the pressure on economic, financial and political fronts; however availability of improved infrastructure will continue to resist any major adjustment, cautious accumulation in dividend yielding stocks is however recommended.
Although the remaining announcements are unlikely to carry surprises, consistency in growth might recommend an upward revaluation thus offering something for the market men to ponder upon, while the economic managers come up with out of box solution to the sensitive yet unattended issues flaring up with every passing day, low running multiples, high dividend yields and gloomier international economic and financial arena, will continue to keep local equities attractive for both local liquidity and the liquidity held by expiates, he added.