Stock Market at a Glance

MARKET THIS WEEK The week started off on a negative note and closed the week in the red (-0.35% WoW) despite some tangible developments over the past weekend where KSE and SECP officials met to discuss liquidity issues. Volumes remained on the lower end of the spectrum at an average of 40.2mn shares (-31.2% WoW). Positives emerging from the KSE-SECP meeting include (1) agreement to consider realignment of the financee participation ratio in MTS, allowing 10% securities as acceptable margin, (2) the possibility of individuals playing the role of financiers and (3) regulatory consent to review the list of eligible securities for MTS. Interest was also seen in the fertilizer sector on the back of an anticipated increase in urea prices that materialized on Thursday (+PRs125/bag). For Engro (-5.6% WoW) the news was overshadowed by suspension of gas supply to its new plant, hence performance was skewed towards FFC (+6.37% WoW) and FFBL (+7.08% WoW).