The market opened on a positive note and the index breached 13,800 psychological level to hit 13,819.22 points intra-day high. However, this momentum could not continue as the investors opted for profit taking on available margins and the index dropped into negative zone at 13,639.09 points intra-day low level.
Trading activities also remained low as the volumes at ready counter declined to 315.368 million shares as compared to 413.941 million shares traded on last trading session. Total market capitalization reduced by Rs 24 billion to stand at Rs 3.504 trillion. Of the total 362 active stocks, 163 closed in negative and 135 in positive while the value of 64 stocks remained unchanged.
Dewan Cement was the volume leader with 34.293 million shares and gained Re 0.80 to close at Rs 4.97. In the other cement sector stocks, Lafarge Pakistan and DG Khan Cement increased by Re 0.07 and Rs 1.69 to close at Rs 4.89 and Rs 38.06 with 25.190 million shares and 12.365 million shares respectively while Fauji Cement lost Re 0.01 to close at Rs 5.61 with 12.640 million shares.
Jahangir Siddiqui Co declined by Rs 1.07 to close at Rs 20.69 with 30.280 million shares. Arif Habib Co inched up by Re 0.91 to close at Rs 33.37 with 14.322 million shares.
In the banking sector, JS Bank, Bankislami and NIB Bank lost Re 0.27, Re 0.35 and Re 0.09 to close at Rs 6.64, Rs 8.39 and Rs 2.89 with 22.239 million shares, 15.343 million shares and 9.527 million shares respectively. Japan Power gained Re 0.28 to close at Rs 2.42 with 11.344 million shares.
Unilever Pak and Sapphire Fiber were the highest gainers increasing by Rs 75.80 and Rs 6.100 to close at Rs 5676.80 and Rs 128.21 respectively while Rafhan Maize and Indus Dyeing were the worst losers declining by Rs 115.68 and Rs 20.29 to close at Rs 2520.17 and Rs 385.58 respectively.