KSE inches up by 9 points

KARACHI: Pakistani stocks ended nearly flat on Monday as investors stayed on the sidelines following a fall in international markets and oil prices, dealers said.

Brent crude futures fell to around $104 a barrel on Monday ahead of a key vote in Greece to approve an unpopular austerity plan.

International oil prices have lost around 10 percent over the last three sessions since the International Energy Agency surprised the market with a 60 million barrels release to rein in prices.

"A fall in international commodities and equity markets kept local investors at a bay," said Samar Iqbal, a dealer at Topline Securities Ltd.

The Karachi Stock Exchange's benchmark 100-share index ended 0.07 percent, or 9.15 points, higher at 12,464.49.

Turnover rose to 52.79 million shares, compared with 51.73million shares traded on Friday but still lower than the daily turnover which is usually on average around 100 million shares. (Reuters)