The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued trading in the negative on Monday with the benchmark KSE-100 index losing 390 points to fall below the 45,700-level.

The index opened lower and continued on the downward trajectory to close at 45,682 points, touching a day's low of 45,610 on the way.

"The day kicked off on a negative note with market talk of a large block on offer in Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) PA -4.8% by a foreign holder at a discount," a note by Elixir Securities read. "Overall, activity in the wider market remained depressed as institutional investors remained sidelined."

Trading remained dull during the session with only 144.8 million shares worth Rs6.7 billion traded in the day. Of the 361 traded scrips, only 108 advanced, while 235 declined and 18 remained unchanged.

The chemical sector dominated trading by a margin with 23.6m shares traded.

Volumes were led by:

  1. Unity Foods Limited: 12.0m shares traded [+4.99pc];

  2. K-Electric Limited: 10.3m shares traded [-0.98pc];

  3. Engro Polymer and Chemicals Ltd: 9.8m shares traded [-2.17pc];

  4. Lotte Chemical Pakistan Ltd: 7.3m shares traded [-2.50pc];

  5. Matco Foods Limited: 6.7m shares traded [+1.97pc].

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Four hundred seats?

Four hundred seats?

The mix of divisive cultural politics and grow­th-oriented economics that feeds Hindu middle-class ambition and provides targeted welfare are key ingredients in the BJP’s political trajectory.

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.