Islamabad Stock Exchange Market Statistics Report Thursday February 26, 2015

Islamabad, February 26, 2015 (PPI-OT):

MARKET TREND:                  Bullish

COMPANIES TRADED:               TOTAL           PLUS                MINUS             EQUAL
                                 152             68                  -84                0

INDEX POSITION:                 INDEX          Opening             Closing            Change

ISE- 10 Index:                                 3946.94             3945.42            (1.52)


IMI- 25 Index:                  INDEX          Opening             Closing            Change

                                               2047.59             2045.36            (2.23)

TOTAL VOLUME:                                  Previous            Current            Change

                                                47,800              12,600          (35,200)
VOLUME LEADERS:

Company                                     VOLUME of Shares

P.I.A                                            10,000
Pakistan Oilfield                                   600
Bank of Punjab.                                   2,000

Top Gainer Indus Motors Rs. 1094.52 with an increase of Rs.+ 52.12.

Top Loser Akzo Noble Pakistan Rs. 372.36 with a decrease of Rs. -13.00.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Stock Exchange
ISE Towers
55-B, Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92(51)111-473-473
Fax: +92(51)111-473-329
Email: info@ise.com.pk

Karachi Stock Exchange Stock Market Position on 26-02-2014

Karachi, February 26, 2015 (PPI-OT):

                                                    DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT

                                             Market Position Printed On FEB-26-2015
COMPANIES              KSE                 KSE-30       KSE-100      KSE-ALLSHARES     KMI-30         BATi             OGTi
POSITION               INDICES              INDEX        INDEX         INDEX             INDEX        INDEX            INDEX
Plus          149      Current            22027.35     33762.80      24155.52         54011.65      18119.30         17954.11
Minus         205      Previous           22110.89     33845.30      24129.72         54310.32      18243.52         17956.62
Unchanged      21      High               22238.68     33997.20      24232.42         54659.64      18285.70         18095.85
Total         375      Low                21990.18     33699.38      24088.76         53832.19      18086.34         17909.13
Net Change                                  -83.54       -82.50         25.80          -298.67       -124.22            -2.51
Percentage                                   -0.38        -0.24          0.11            -0.55         -0.68            -0.01


                    TURNOVER                           TRADING VALUE                         MARKET CAPITAL
Current           169,615,490                         8,588,023,684                      7,623,127,294,677
Previous          140,925,520                         6,960,419,638                      7,615,142,103,089

                                                COMPANIES REFLECTING SIGNIFICANT TURNOVER
Company Name                 Prv. Rate   Opening Rate   Closing Rate  Highest Rate     Low Rate            Turnover
K-Electric Ltd.                  8.28        8.30          8.22           8.34            8.15            19,167,500
National Bank.                  67.45       67.95         67.78          68.99           67.11            13,847,500
Pak Int.Bulk                    35.51       35.51         36.19          37.25           35.51            11,576,000
Jah.Sidd. Co.                   22.05       22.12         22.15          22.59           21.90             9,802,500
Pak Elektron                    58.87       58.90         59.74          60.19           58.10             9,238,500
Fauji Cement                    31.23       31.33         30.37          31.35           29.95             7,256,500
Power Cement Ltd.                8.46        8.60          8.38           8.95            8.30             7,143,500
Maple Leaf Cement               55.91       56.00         55.10          56.30           54.76             6,618,500
P.I.A.C.(A)                     10.12       10.15          9.99          10.32            9.90             6,595,000
B.O.Punjab                      10.66       10.74         10.60          10.77           10.56             4,516,000

                                          COMPANIES REFLECTING HIGHEST INCREASE/DECREASE IN THEIR RATES

Company Name             Increased By              Closing Rate       Company Name                Decreased By         Closing Rate
Unilever Foods             350.00                   9450.00             Bata (Pak)                   208.90               4090.10
Nestle Pak.                204.00                  10225.00             Wyeth Pak Ltd                180.93               3437.72

                                              FUTURE CONTRACT
                   TURNOVER                             Plus                  134
Current           50,633,500                            Minus                  43
Previous          34,634,000                                                    3

Company Name                       Prv. Rate       Opening Rate    Closing Rate      Highest Rate  Low Rate       Turnover
PAEL-MAR                              59.64           59.85           60.42            60.80         58.65       5,193,000
PAEL-FEB                              58.98           59.00           59.68            60.10         58.01       5,089,500
BOP-FEB                               10.69           10.75           10.60            10.78         10.57       4,334,500
BOP-MAR                               10.80           10.82           10.71            10.90         10.70       3,903,500
NBP-MAR                               68.04           68.40           68.19            69.45         67.89       2,771,000

For more information, contact:
S. Munawar Ali
Senir Manager
Public Relations
Karachi Stock Exchange
Tel: (92-21) 111-001122
Fax: (92-21) 3241 0825, (92-21) 3241 5136
Email: inf@kse.com.pk

Competition Commission of Pakistan approves acquisition of global vaccine business (excluding influenza business except in China) by GSK from Novartis

Islamabad, February 26, 2015 (PPI-OT): The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved acquisition of the global vaccines business (excluding influenza business except in China) of Novartis AG by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) after concluding the Phase II review of the pre-merger application and receiving commitments to address competition concerns.

CCP initiated the Phase II review of the pre merger application received from GSK in November 2014 under section 11 of the Competition Act, 2010 to determine whether the merger situation is likely to substantially prevent or lessen competition in the relevant market. GSK and Novartis are the two main players in the vaccine business.

The overlap was detected in the Meningococcal (ACWY) vaccine, which is used against Neisseria Meningitidis, a bacterium that causes meningitis, meningococcemia, septicemia, and rarely carditis, septic arthritis, or pneumonia, which both GSK and Novartis market in Pakistan through their products, Menveo of Novartis and Mencevax of GSK.

GSK’s Mencevax vaccine has the largest market share of 85.53% while Novartis’s Menveo has only 14.47% market share. Sanofi Pasteur is the only fresh entrant in the market starting its Menactra vaccine in the later part of 2014.

Competition Concerns: The proposed acquisition raised competition concerns that after acquiring the market share of Novartis, GSK would further strengthen its dominant position in the market for Meningococcal (ACWY) vaccine, with a possibility of price increase or control over supply.

It is pertinent to mention here that new entry or expansion in relation to Meningococcal (ACWY) vaccine products requires substantial investment in research and development, which is evident from the fact that it took many years before a new entrant like Sanofi Pasteur could enter the relevant market in Pakistan.

Moreover, the effectiveness of each vaccination program differs in terms of age usage and duration of protection, therefore, it is important to have all meningococcal (ACWY) vaccinations available in the market.

Remedies/Conditions: After holding a hearing on the matter on 20 February 2015 by the CCP full bench chaired by Vadiyya Khalil, Chairperson, and including Dr. Joseph Wilson, Mueen Batlay, Dr. Shahzad Ansar, and Ikram Ul Haq Qureshi, Members, CCP concluded the Phase II review and directed GSK to take the following measures: i. GSK will ensure reliable availability of its vaccine (Meneveo) in Pakistan.

ii. GSK will divest its worldwide MenACWY vaccine business to a suitable purchaser, who will be an independent third-party vaccines supplier with the capability to maintain and continue to develop the divested business as a viable and active competitive product line, as committed by GSK to the European Commission on 21 January 2015.

iii. GSK will enter into an agreement with a third-party purchaser within a period of 6 months from the receipt of the EU clearance decision. An independent divesture trustee, who will be appointed by the European Commission, will have the mandate to sell the Divestment Business at no minimum price within another 6 months. iv. The purchaser must have an established presence in distribution channels used in the vaccine business in Pakistan.

The Commission will assess the effects of the transaction on the relevant market after one year from the date of the closing of the transaction under Section 11(13) of the Act. The applicant was directed to file an update report with the Registrar of the Commission every three months until the divestment is complete. CCP issued its No Objection Certificate to GSK for the proposed acquisition on 20 February 2015 with the above structural remedies.

In another pre-merger application, CCP approved the acquisition of the business relating to a portfolio of oncology products (excluding manufacturing) by Novartis AG (Novartis) from GlaxoSmithKline Plc. (GSK). The transaction was taken to a Phase II review in early November 2014 and was concluded on 9 February 2015.

For more information, contact:
Asfandyar Khattak
Director (Media and Communications)
Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP)
7th Floor South, ISE Towers,
55-B, Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9100260-3, +92-51-9100256
Fax: +92-51-9100251
Email: akhattak@cc.gov.pk
Website: www.cc.gov.pk

M2 services introduces Media Audit in Pakistan – Powered by R3

Karachi, February 26, 2015 (PPI-OT): M2 has signed up an exclusive partnership agreement with R3 worldwide – The Global Experts in Agency Management Best Practices to introduce the globally acclaimed Media Audit process in Pakistan.

M2 services are designed to bring transparency to the media investment process, explained Mr. Shazad Sikandar. We strongly believe that the specialization in the media industry and the corresponding growth in the advertising spend and its complexity has created an equal need for an independent evaluation. Our target is to help marketers establish the highest performing and sustainable agency partnerships through advanced evaluation procedures.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with M2 to expand the Pakistan market” said Greg Paull, Principal of R3. “Pakistan deserves the same level of independent benchmarking and analysis that top marketers and agencies are using in Europe, the US and other parts of Asia” he added.

R3 worldwide is the oldest and most experienced consultancy specializing in agency management services working with 8 of the world’s top 20 marketers. M2 in collaboration with R3 worldwide will introduce the most comprehensive service offering in the business, from the complex audit of billions of rupees of marketer’s media purchases to the intricate details of effectively working with agency teams.

For more information, contact:
Nafisa Gabaji
Communications Executive
Pakistan Advertisers Society (PAS)
2nd Floor, 6-C, 7th Commercial Lane,
Zamzama, Phase V, DHA
Karachi – Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35836072
Fax: +92-21-35836073
Email: secretariat@pas.org.pk, nafisa.gabaji@pas.org.pk
Website: www.pas.org.pk

6 million users access Facebook through Mobilink

Islamabad, February 26, 2015 (PPI-OT): Mobilink has announced that 6 million of its subscribers now use Facebook through one of the many social media friendly internet packages. Since the launch of 3G services in Pakistan, Mobilink has introduced affordable and youth centric internet packages which have resulted in an almost 90% growth in Mobilink’s Facebook user base.

Aamer Manzoor, Head of Data, Mobilink said “With the largest customer base using Facebook through its services, Mobilink clearly understands the value of engaging with social media enthusiasts in a way that brings value to the relationship. Expanding on our vision to include the social media, we look to offer innovative communications solutions to our subscriber base in the form of free offers, competitions and other youth centric schemes that make each day better for them.

Our actions have created a more open and connected community online; a pioneering step in social media usage” Mobilink’s 3 Day Social Bundle offer subscribers the opportunity to use Facebook, Whatsapp Messenger, and Twitter for 3 days in just PKR.10+tax.

Mobilink is also offering the Daily Social Bundle, which allows subscribers to use Facebook and WhatsApp on their mobile phones for a minimum cost of PKR.5 by dialing *114*5#. Through these bundles, Mobilink customers can enjoy an unlimited access to their daily dose of Facebook status updates; follow friends’ timelines, tagging pictures, sharing albums, chatting, and more – all via Facebook on the go.

For more information, contact:
Hussain Ali Talib
Manager – Corporate Communications
Mobilink
42, Kulsum Plaza, Blue Area,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone +92-51-2273984, 0301 822 9546
Email: hussain.talib@mobilink.net
UAN +92-51-111300300

National Bank of Pakistan Board proposes final cash dividend of Rs.5.5 per share for year ended December 31, 2014

Karachi, February 26, 2015 (PPI-OT): The Board of Directors of National Bank of Pakistan in their meeting held on February 26, 2015 at the Bank’s Head Office Karachi approved the financial statements of the bank for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The Board have proposed final cash dividend of Rs.5.5 per share (55%) for the year ended December 31, 2014. This will be presented for approval in the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of the bank by the shareholders. This translates into 86 % dividend payout of the bank’s distributable profit for the year 2014 (after statutory reserve allocation) and is the highest in the banking industry.

This high payout shows bank’s strong capital position with continuous focus on increasing stakeholder value by capitalising on opportunities to drive strong performance for the organisation and even higher payouts to the shareholders in the years ahead.

Profit before tax increased by 211 % in 2014 and stood at Rs. 22 billion. Profit after tax increased by 173% from Rs. 5.5 billion in year 2013 to Rs. 15 billion in year 2014. This profit after tax represents a return on average assets (RoA) of 1.1 %, compared to the RoA of 0.4 % in 2013. Earnings per share were Rs. 7.06 in year 2014 as against Rs. 2.59 of last year, an increase of 173%. Cost to income ratio has improved to 0.52 from 0.57 in 2013.

Net interest income increased from Rs. 38.2 billion in 2013 to Rs. 44.2 billion in 2014 reflecting an increase of 16% due to balance sheet re-profiling and growth. Non-interest income increased by 23% from Rs. 25.6 billion in 2013 to Rs.31.5 billion in 2014. The increase in non-interest income was primarily due to higher capital gains and growth in other income streams.

Total deposits increased by 12% from Rs. 1,101 billion at December 31, 2013 to Rs.1, 234 billion at December 31, 2014. The current and savings account (CASA) ratio was 72% at December, 2014 compared to 69% at December 31, 2013 which helped in reducing the cost of funds and in improving profitability of the bank. Net NPL ratio (after provisions) improved to 3.62% from 4.21% at December 31, 2013. Provisions were lower by 39% in 2014 due to realization of some good recoveries from non-performing loans.

2014 was a year in which the bank focused on further strengthening businesses, network, technological capabilities and other operating and financial parameters. Our strong and diversified franchise, large distribution network, healthy capital position and sustained improvements in balance sheet and profitability profile give us the ability to leverage opportunities for profitable growth.

In 2015 some initiatives include Core Banking Application roll out in 1100+ branches, ATM expansion, mobile banking, branchless banking and corporate internet banking to utilize maximum benefit of automation and facilitating NBP customers with enhanced services.

For more information, contact:
Syed Ibne Hassan
Vice President / Divisional Head (A)
National Bank of Pakistan (NBP)
Corporate Communication and Brand Management Division
Head Office, NBP Building, I.I. Chundrigar Road,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-99220773
Cell: +92-300-8202184
Fax: +92-21-99212734
Email: ibne.hassan@nbp.com.pk

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association of Pakistan demands Government to take cognizance of import of low quality, spurious and adulterated LPG to avoid any untoward incident

Lahore, February 26, 2015 (PPI-OT): LPG Association of Pakistan (LPGAP) has demanded of the Government to take cognizance of the import of low quality, spurious and adulterated LPG to avoid any untoward incident. The Chairman LPGAP Mr. Farooq Iftikhar said that some unscrupulous importers are selling low quality and cheap LPG and playing with the lives of the masses besides wasting valuable foreign exchange and loss of tax revenue for the Government.

Why is this happening? Today a lot of low quality LPG is in the market because of massive fall in International price of Petroleum Product and the Government’s reluctance to match prices of the local product accordingly.

Today, The imported product, when imported thorough sea routes, costs around Rs. 67000/- per MT whereas the price of local product varies from 72000/- to 77000/- per MT. 16000 MT of imported LPG came into Pakistan in February and around 6000 MT more is expected within a week. Local producer’s which mainly constitutes of Government controlled Enterprises must respond to this changing scenario on priority as lifting of LPG is adversely affected.

The internationally declining trend according to any forecast is there for the next 2-3 years and the Govt. must reduce the prices immediately as the storage capacity in the Country is limited to cut its losses. The LPGAP which represents LPG marketing companies request the Ministry of Petroleum and OGRA to take immediate notice of the situation and take urgent remedial measures. It is a matter of grave concern for both local LPG Industry and the consumers.

For more information, contact:
All Pakistan LPG Distributors Association
House No. 2-B, Ground Floor, Block 6,
Shahrah-e-Faisal, P.E.C.H.S., Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Tel: +92(021) 4546619, 4521793
Fax: +92(021) 4521361