Stocks falter amid mounting security concerns

Amid surging terrorist attacks in Balochistan, killing dozens of innocent people, the stock market turned negative in a mixed session on Monday after hitting an intraday high above 79,000 level. Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation said stocks closed lower amid consolidation near the close of earnings season and security concerns. He added that the energy sector outperformed the index after strong financial results, a hefty payout by Hubco, and surging global crude oil prices. He said uncertainty over IMF approval on taxes, IPPs’s dues restructuring and power subsidies also contributed to the bearish close. Topline Securities Ltd said the equities kicked off the session on a bullish note as the benchmark KSE 100 index crossed the psychological barrier of 79,000 intraday. However, profit-taking by some investors compelled it to settle below this level in a relatively lacklustre trade.