IT scrips lift KSE-100 index by nearly 80 points

• Benchmark index closes at 42,085.72 points.
• KSE-100 oscillated in both directions.
• Volumes depreciated from the last close.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed volatile trading on Thursday with the benchmark KSE-100 index recording gains of nearly 80 points in line with global equity markets, which showed mixed trends.

Upbeat investor sentiment stemmed from the technology sector, where Systems Limited closed 4.96% higher. As a result, stocks in the IT sector attracted investor interest.

Benchmark KSE-100 oscillated in both directions whereas volumes depreciated from the last close.

The auto sector remained under pressure due to dismal car sales data for the month of September — which showed a decline of 7% month-on-month.

On the results front, Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited (EPQL) announced its third-quarter earnings per share and dividend per share of Rs3 each where the stock closed at the upper cap.

The benchmark KSE-100 index closed at 42,085.72 points with an increase of 78.58 points or 0.19%.

A report from Arif Habib Limited noted that another range-bound session was witnessed at the PSX today.

“Despite opening in the green zone the benchmark KSE-100 index recorded a lacklustre session as investor participation remained low, which caused the volumes to decline sharply,” the brokerage house stated.

The market fluctuated in both directions but ended up in the green as the IT sector remained in the limelight.

Sectors contributing to the performance included technology (77.1 points), exploration and production (15.5 points), refinery (8.1 points), chemical (8 points), and fertiliser (6.6 points).

Shares of 341 companies were traded during the session. At the close of trading, 158 scrips closed in the green, 161 in the red, and 22 remained unchanged.

Overall trading volumes rose to 222.22 million shares compared with Wednesday’s tally of 238.65 million. The value of shares traded during the day was Rs9.66 billion.

Worldcall Telecom was the volume leader with 50.64 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.01 to close at Rs1.52. It was followed by TRG Pakistan with 23.19 million shares traded, losing Rs1.11 to close at Rs128.47 and Pakistan Refinery with 9.60 million shares gaining Rs0.16 to close at Rs17.98.