KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its bullish momentum on Thursday as investors continued buying equities on improving sentiment, although mid-session profit-taking erased a significant portion of the market’s early gains.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index still managed to close firmly in positive territory, gaining 1,189.52 points or 0.69 percent to settle at 172,894.28 points compared to the previous close of 171,704.76 points. During the session, the index touched an intraday high of 173,274.54 points while dipping to a low of 171,541.04 points, reflecting volatile but resilient trading activity.
The BRIndex100 closed at 19,053.28 points, up by 145.27 points or 0.77 percent, with total volume reaching 749.74 million shares. The BRIndex30 advanced by 928.36 points or 1.37 percent to settle at 68,916.58 points, with total turnover of 524.68 million shares.
According to Topline Securities, the local bourse opened on a positive note, carrying forward the bullish momentum from the previous session. However, profit-taking during mid-session triggered volatility, trimming a substantial portion of the early gains and dragging the index lower from its peak levels. Despite the volatile trading pattern, the market demonstrated notable resilience and ended the session in the green.
Topline Securities stated that index-heavy stocks including UBL, FFC, LUCK, OGDC and MARI remained the key drivers of the rally, collectively contributing 735 points to the benchmark index.
Trading activity remained robust, though lower than the previous session. Total turnover in the ready market stood at 986.97 million shares against 1.20 billion shares traded a day earlier. The traded value in the ready market amounted to Rs 52.71 billion compared to Rs 63.00 billion in the previous session.
Market breadth remained positive as 290 companies advanced, 165 declined and 35 remained unchanged out of a total of 490 companies traded in the ready market.
Among actively traded stocks, Bank of Punjab led the volume chart with turnover of 86.33 million shares, closing at Rs 36.73. First National Equities followed with 65.97 million shares, closing at Rs 1.47, while Hascol Petroleum recorded turnover of 44.74 million shares and closed at Rs 23.25.
On the gainers’ side, PIA Holding Company LimitedB posted a massive increase of Rs 516.33 to close at Rs 17,517.33, while Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited gained Rs 184.16 to settle at Rs 26,450.83. On the losing side, Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited declined by Rs 26.47 to close at Rs 9,472.48, while Khyber Textile Mills Limited lost Rs 24.48 to settle at Rs 1,575.24.
Sectoral indices mostly remained positive. The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 27,228.40 points, gaining 547.72 points or 2.05 percent, with turnover of 5.76 million shares. The BR Cement Index rose by 288.54 points or 2.45 percent to close at 12,068.15 points, with traded volume of 110.09 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index increased by 197.14 points or 0.34 percent to settle at 58,668.50 points, recording turnover of 113.62 million shares. The BR Oil and Gas Index gained 145.36 points or 0.97 percent to close at 15,160.42 points, with turnover of 94.41 million shares.
Likewise, the BR Tech and Communication Index advanced by 46.72 points or 1.25 percent to settle at 3,774.15 points, with traded volume of 81.18 million shares. However, the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index closed in negative territory at 28,213.96 points, declining by 273.67 points or 0.96 percent, despite recording turnover of 65.31 million shares.
Analysts said the market continued to benefit from improving investor confidence following easing geopolitical concerns and declining international oil prices.
However, profit-taking at higher levels suggests investors remain cautious after the recent sharp rally. Market participants are now expected to closely monitor further developments in global energy markets and geopolitical headlines for near-term direction.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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