KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) concluded Monday’s trading session with a mixed performance across its indices, reflecting a nuanced market sentiment.
While the benchmark KSE-100 Index managed a modest gain, broader market activity indicated a tug-of-war between bullish and bearish forces. The KSE-100 Index registered a fractional gain of 81.79 points, or 0.07 percent, to close at 122,225.36 points, up from its previous close of 122,143.57 points. It touched an intraday high of 122,903.34 points before paring some gains.
On Monday, BRIndex100 closed at 13,105.34 points, up 68.08 points or 0.52 percent higher than its previous close. Total volume was 958.399 million shares. Meanwhile, BRIndex30 closed at 37,995.17 points, which was 268.88 points or 0.71 percent higher than its previous close. Total volume remained 591.865 million shares.
According to Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation, the PSX’s positive close was driven by several factors. Stocks advanced despite geopolitical risks, fueled by speculation over the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) policy announcement expected later on Monday. Furthermore, high trade volumes amidst market consolidation, a recovery in global equities, and upbeat FY26 projections from the IMF regarding privatization and GDP growth, alongside the federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) in the Federal Budget FY26, all played a catalytic role.
Total Ready Market turnover for the day stood at 1.224 billion shares, an increase from the previous session’s 968.346 million shares. However, the traded value in the Ready Market saw a decline to Rs 25.75 billion from Rs 29.55 billion on the prior day, indicating a lower average price per share traded despite increased volume.
The market capitalization notably increased to Rs 14.802 trillion from Rs 14.748 trillion, an uplift of Rs 54.179 billion.
Market breadth in the Ready Market remained positive, with 282 companies advancing against 159 declining, while 30 remained unchanged out of a total of 471 traded scrips. This suggests a tilt towards gainers despite the overall modest index performance.
On Monday, WorldCall Telecom led the turnover charts with 267.081 million shares changing hands, closing at Rs 1.62. Other active scrips included Pervez Ahmed Co., which saw 92.03 million shares traded and ended at Rs 3.93. Meanwhile, Ist. Capital Sec also saw significant trading activity with over 86 million shares traded, closing higher at Rs 3.85.
Among the top gainers, Macter International Limited surged by Rs 38.61 to close at Rs 424.71, and Blessed Textiles Limited increased by Rs 26.89 to Rs 304.91. Conversely, PIA Holding Company LimitedB experienced a notable decrease of Rs 1,888.91, closing at Rs 17,000.19, and Khyber Textile Mills Limited saw a decline of Rs 179.45 to Rs 1,615.10.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 20,796.37 points, registering a negative change of 0.09 percent, with a total turnover of 9.432 million shares. Similarly, the BR Cement Index saw a decline of 70.09 points or 0.67 percent, settling at 10,438.92 points, with 88.206 million shares traded. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index also experienced a significant dip, falling by 410.53 points or 1.84 percent to 21,945.16 points, on a turnover of 28.033 million shares.
Conversely, the BR Commercial Banks Index gained 325.37 points or 0.89 percent, closing at 36,742.67 points, with a turnover of 40.802 million shares. The BR Oil and Gas Index also advanced by 100.71 points or 0.87 percent, reaching 11,711.61 points, as 54.234 million shares changed hands.
Leading the positive change was the BR Technology & Communication Index, which climbed 30.13 points or 1.04 percent to close at 2,933.12 points, and recorded a turnover of 342.234 million shares.
The day’s trading reflected selective buying interest in certain sectors, indicating that investors are keenly evaluating specific company fundamentals amidst the broader economic indicators and the prevailing geopolitical climate.
In its commentary, JS Global cited that the market opened on a positive note but failed to sustain momentum. It eventually closed at 122,225 points, as profit-taking emerged later in the session. Trading activity was dominated by small-cap stocks, reflecting short-term speculative interest. Risk management remains key amid geopolitical uncertainty and macro developments, it added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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