OUR STAFF REPORTER KARACHI - The Karachi stock market closed moderately higher on Tuesday despite witnessing a thin trading activity in specific commodity stocks across the board. The Karachi Stock Exchanges 100-share index rose of 0.48 per cent or 57.26 points to close at 12,030.64 points on market turnover of 40.28 million shares. The KSE market capitalisation recorded at Rs3,188.39 billion or $37.12 billion while total trading value came at Rs1.93 billion or $22.44 million respectively yesterday. The KSE-30 index ended a bright day with 67.75 points or 0.58 per cent to close at 11,658.70 points. KSE future volumes recorded at1.84m shares while its value was at Rs146.82 million with 1.33 per cent spread rate. Bullish activity witnessed with thin trade at KSE, as the investor expectations for positive announcements in the upcoming federal budget for small investors and early release of next IMF tranche for Pakistan played a catalyst role in positive close at KSE despite major fall in global capital markets and security concerns after terrorist activity at PNS Naval Airbase in the city, said a market analyst. Meeting of Pakistan business council and Karachi stock exchange members and Chairman with President of Pakistan helped lift the shattered sentiment up amid hopes regarding some positive developments on taxes front, said another analyst. With the help of local institutional support KSE-100 index managed to gain 0.53 per cent with low volumes. Low-priced stocks remained in limelight as LOTPTA led the volume followed by JSCL and ANL. Total 177 companies inched up while 124 closed in negative, according to the analyst.