KARACHI - The stock market failed to sustain the 7,000 points psychologically barrier on Thursday as bears once again overpowered the bulls amid limited activity. The benchmark KSE-100 index shed 91 points and closed at 6,969.82 points with small volume of nearly 111m shares. Low volume did it once again as market lost 219 points but recovered the ground in the end. The rumours of the town regarding budget turned out to be crucial as the date of budget has already been announced. Yet again news related to imposition of taxation on stocks trading, property trading and taxing agriculture were the hot topics. Politically motivated statements from the United States can be termed as positive as well as negative, which largely impacted the investors sentiment. Nuclear weapons and its plant expansion came in to limelight after the US raised questions about its security. All these elements contributed and largely impacted the investors sentiment. PMs Advisor on Finance indication of GDP growth rate of 2-2.25 percent down from 3-3.5 percent on global recession and security situation in the country during Federal cabinet meeting was taken negative by investors, expressed Ahsan Mehanti of Shahzad Chamdia Securities. The KSE-100 index opened 40.80 points down and remained under selling pressure throughout the day while ended at 6,969.82 points with a loss of 90.90 points. Market dropped to days lowest level of 6,841.03 points on Thursday. Trading activity at the stock market was improved in comparison with the last trading session. The ready market volume stood up to 111.467 million shares against last trading sessions 80.422m shares. Total trading value of the market increased to Rs 4.509b against Rs 3.957b of last trading session. Market capitalisation further decreased to Rs 2.067tr from last sessions Rs 2.096tr, showing a loss of Rs 29b. Out of 312 actively traded symbols, only 70 advanced, as many as 232 declined and value of 10 stocks remained unchanged. Unexpectedly, Adamjee Insurance was crowned as the volume leader with the trading of 8.489 million shares on Thursday. Other well-traded shares include DGKC 8.410m shares, JSCL 7.925m shares, Maple Leaf 4.953m shares, Lucky Cement 4.507m shares, Bank Al-Falah 4.415m shares, Arif Habib 4.315m shares, National Bank 3.716m shares, NIB Bank 3.415m shares namely. Leading gainers include Exide Pak, up Rs5.50/share and closed at Rs115.60 with the trading of only 600 shares on Thursday, Atlas Honda gained Rs4.23/share, closing at Rs88.84, Indus Motor added Rs3.26/share and closed at Rs111.99, Adamjee Insurance up by Rs2.72/share and its value was improved to Rs83.47, Quetta Textile added Rs2.37/share and closed at Rs49.86, Thal Limited gained Rs1.48/share and closed at Rs83.68. Conversely, Wyeth Pakistan down by Rs66.83/share and closed at Rs1,283.17 with the trading of only 120 shares, Siemens Pak lost Rs46/share, closing at Rs878, Bata Pak lost Rs23.75/share and closed at Rs608, Service Industries lost Rs5.30/share and its value was decreased to Rs100.70, Millat Tractors lost Rs5.15/share and closed at Rs272.75, Unilever Pak down by Rs5/share and closed at Rs1,950. Besides efforts being made to revive local economy, reduction in fuel prices may act as a catalyst. Huge foreign inflows and confidence expressed by the world super powers internationally and support by the local political parties do suggest improved international relations, while formation of government in India may also prove positive for the country, thus reducing tension from a sensitive front.