KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended the final trading session of the week on a mixed note as selling pressure in key index-heavy stocks pulled the index lower despite selective buying in several sectors.
The KSE-100 Index closed at 168,062.17 points, declining by 830.92 points or 0.49 percent compared with the previous close of 168,893.09 points. During the session, the benchmark index moved within a wide range, touching an intraday high of 169,379.97 points and a low of 165,811.88 points, reflecting continued volatility and intermittent buying support.
On Friday, the BRIndex100 closed at 19,046.57 points, gaining 48.57 points or 0.26 percent over the previous close. Total traded volume on the BRIndex100 stood at 425.00 million shares. The BRIndex30 closed at 68,534.27 points, up 710.41 points or 1.05 percent from the previous close. Total volume on the BRIndex30 stood at 235.80 million shares.
According to Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, the PSX witnessed a range-bound yet volatile session, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing in negative territory. He said the market opened on a weak note amid escalating tensions on the western border following reported air strikes by Pakistan’s security forces on militant strongholds inside Afghanistan. The heightened geopolitical situation weighed on investor sentiment and triggered broad-based selling pressure across the market.
Najib noted that at one stage during the session the benchmark index declined by more than 3,000 points before partially recovering by the close. Major laggards of the session included UBL, FFC, OGDC, PPL, MCB, MARI, SYS, HBL, ATRL, and NBP, which collectively eroded 885 points from the index.
Trading activity in the ready market declined significantly. Total turnover stood at 536.24 million shares compared with 692.40 million shares in the previous session. The traded value decreased to approximately Rs25.54 billion from Rs35.80 billion, indicating reduced investor participation.
Overall market capitalization in the ready market fell to approximately Rs18.93 trillion, compared with Rs19.02 trillion in the previous session, translating into a decline of about Rs89.09 billion in market value.
Market breadth remained negative. Out of 472 companies traded in the ready market, 161 companies recorded gains, 257 declined, and 54 remained unchanged, reflecting widespread selling pressure.
Among actively traded stocks in the ready market, Unity Foods Limited led the volume chart with a turnover of 50.30 million shares. The stock closed at Rs10.67. F. Nat. Equities ranked second with 36.25 million shares, closing at Rs1.54. Meanwhile, Bank of Punjab recorded a turnover of 30.60 million shares and closed at Rs31.70.
Among gainers, PIA Holding Company Limited-B recorded the largest increase of Rs947.34 to close at Rs17,444.94, followed by Nestle Pakistan Limited, which rose by Rs95.89 to settle at Rs7,998.89.
On the losing side, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited declined by Rs321.77 to close at Rs25,255.00, while Sapphire Fibres Limited fell by Rs95.93 to settle at Rs1,054.01.
Sector-wise performance remained mixed. The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 25,867.32 points, declining 218.59 points or 0.84 percent, with total turnover of 2.75 million shares. The BR Cement Index closed at 11,909.46 points, down 38.20 points or 0.32 percent, with total turnover of 19.71 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index settled at 59,269.09 points, gaining 326.99 points or 0.55 percent, with total turnover of 57.59 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index closed at 27,606.36 points, rising 161.16 points or 0.59 percent, with turnover of 64.54 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index settled at 13,871.49 points, declining 132.32 points or 0.94 percent, with turnover of 31.56 million shares. The BR Technology and Communication Index closed at 3,510.72 points, down 52.43 points or 1.47 percent, with turnover of 76.57 million shares.
Overall, the trading session reflected mixed performance across benchmark and sectoral indices, with negative market breadth, declining turnover and reduced market capitalization indicating cautious investor sentiment at the close of the week.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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