KARACHI: The anticipated rally entered into the second day on Tuesday with the KSE-100 index recording gains of 773.46 points (1.51 per cent) to close at 52,146.97.

The run up in share prices was led by the eight stocks to be included in the ‘main board’ MSCI Emerging Market Index as investors continued to build positions in those scrips.

The major gainers were MCB which rose 4pc, HBL 1.4pc, UBL 2.2pc and ENGRO 2.1pc, which together contributed 233 points. OGDC hit its upper circuit.

“Trading at the bourse remained robust, with the index on track to re-test its all-time high closing of 52,847points,” said Adnan Sami Sheikh at brokerage Topline Securities.

With only six sessions left until June 1 when Pakistan index is to be included in MSCI EM, the regulator SECP has introduced a post close trading session to accommodate expected hike in trading activity.

The volume soared 35pc to 324 million shares from 240m shares a day earlier while the traded value surged 56pc to Rs19.6 billion from Rs12.6bn.

Analyst Arhum Ghous at JS Global Capital commented that on the back of noise in the market regarding possible imposition of anti-dumping duty on chemical imports, LOTCHEM led market volume closing at its upper circuit.

Fertiliser sector also recorded gains with DAWH hitting its upper limit while Engro gained 2.12pc.

The losses were marginal with JDWS down 1.7pc, POL 0.2pc, BOP 1pc, NCPL 1pc and KOHC 0.6pc, which scrapped 11 points from the index.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2017