KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed the week on a strong note Friday, with equities extending their upward trajectory as all major indices advanced.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index climbed 802 points, or 0.48 percent, to finish at 167,085.58 points, comfortably above the previous close of 166,283.55. The index held firm within the day’s range — hitting a high of 167,923.45 and dipping to a low of just 166,369.73 — reflecting consistent accumulation throughout the session.
On Friday, BRIndex100 closed at 17,629.50, up 95.46 points or 0.54 percent from the previous close, with a total volume of 558.66 million shares. BRIndex30 settled at 56,804.82, gaining 402.95 points or 0.71 percent over the previous close, with a total volume of 346.83 million shares.
According to Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, the market continued to move through a consolidation phase, with the benchmark managing to close just above the 167,000 mark. He noted that the index remained largely in positive territory throughout the session, supported by key macroeconomic and political developments.
Najib said confidence improved after Saudi Arabia extended its USD 3.0 billion deposit with Pakistan for another year, providing welcome comfort to the external account. He added that media reports suggesting the President has approved the summary for the appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff helped reduce uncertainty on the political front.
On corporate developments, Najib highlighted that Service Industries announced plans for its subsidiary, Service Long March Tyres (SLM), to raise capital through an Initial Public Offering and pursue a listing on the PSX, a move that further boosted sentiment.
He added that among major movers, FFC, PPL, OGDC, UBL and SYS collectively contributed 551 points to the benchmark, while MCB, PIOC, FABL, NBP and BOP jointly dragged the index by 138 points.
Trading activity strengthened considerably. The Ready Market recorded 686.8 million shares, sharply higher than the previous session’s 607.7 million. Traded value surged to Rs41.62 billion, while market capitalization expanded to Rs19.038 trillion, adding nearly Rs90 billion in a single day as compared to the previous day’s close of Rs18.948 trillion.
Market breadth remained firmly in favour of buyers. In the Ready Market, 254 companies advanced, 179 declined and 44 remained unchanged.
Retail and institutional favourites dominated trading. Telecard Ltd led the Ready Market with 58 million shares, ending at Rs12.12. F Nat. Equities, First Dawood Properties, PIA Holding Company, and WorldCall Telecom also posted heavy volumes.
High-value stocks saw notable price changes. Unilever Pakistan Foods surged Rs656.32 to Rs29,198.99, while Hoechst Pakistan added Rs116.32 to Rs4,334.82. Conversely, Rafhan Maize fell Rs80.22 to Rs9,300.29, and Pakistan Tobacco Company slipped Rs43.34 to Rs1,499.66.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 24,299.44, showing a net gain of 74.99 points or 0.31 percent, with a total turnover of 1.90 million shares. The BR Cement Index ended at 13,610.85, rising by 86.91 points or 0.64 percent, with a total turnover of 47.81 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index finished at 49,161.83, down 34.13 points or 0.07 percent, with a total turnover of 46.84 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index closed at 26,253.90, gaining 104.76 points or 0.40 percent, with a total turnover of 38.21 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index settled at 14,506.13, increasing by 162.04 points or 1.13 percent, with a total turnover of 47.44 million shares. The BR Tech & Comm Index ended at 3,958.63, up 41.18 points or 1.05 percent, with a total turnover of 134.14 million shares.
Analysts noted that the market closed the session — and the week — with an unmistakably optimistic tone. Strong inflows, supportive macroeconomic signals, and easing political uncertainty combined to reinforce buying momentum across all segments, setting a firm backdrop for the coming week’s trade.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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