KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed Wednesday’s trading session on a subdued note as cautious investor sentiment during the roll-over week led to selective selling in heavyweight stocks, dragging key indices into negative territory despite an improvement in overall trading activity.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index declined by 243.51 points, or 0.14 percent, to settle at 170,830.22 points, compared with the previous close of 171,073.73 points. The index remained volatile throughout the session, touching an intraday high of 171,587.32 points, up 513 points at one stage, before slipping to a low of 170,641.13 points, reflecting intermittent selling pressure and the absence of sustained buying momentum.
The BRIndex100 ended at 18,118.24 points, posting a gain of 25.58 points, or 0.14 percent, with a total turnover of 541.50 million shares. Meanwhile, the BRIndex30 closed at 58,739.83 points, up 392.02 points, or 0.67 percent, on a trading volume of 378.30 million shares, indicating selective buying interest in BR-index heavyweights.
Market breadth remained negative. In the Ready Market, 264 companies closed in the red, 171 posted gains, and 46 remained unchanged, out of a total of 481 traded scrips.
Despite the bearish close, trading activity improved. Ready Market turnover rose to 811.56 million shares, up from 650.14 million shares in the previous session, while traded value increased to Rs29.79 billion.
Commenting on market performance, Ali Nawaz of JS Global observed that dull trading activity prevailed due to the roll-over week, as investors preferred to remain cautious ahead of contract settlements. He noted that the benchmark index closed lower after fluctuating within a wide intraday range.
On the activity front, Pak International Bulk Terminal topped the Ready Market turnover chart with 62.13 million shares traded, closing higher at Rs18.25. Bank of Punjab followed with a turnover of 61.35 million shares, settling at Rs38.90, while PIA Holding Company remained among the most actively traded stocks, with 54.39 million shares changing hands, though the scrip ended sharply lower at Rs34.16 after witnessing wide intraday fluctuations.
Among top gainers, The Thal Industries Corporation Limited rose by Rs64.38 to close at Rs789.47, while Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited advanced Rs42.00 to settle at Rs28,992.00, supported by selective buying in high-priced consumer stocks. On the downside, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) witnessed a steep decline of Rs1,836.74, while Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited fell Rs1,168.61, as investors booked profits in select high-value shares.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 24,038.81 points, down 159.90 points, or 0.66 percent, with a turnover of 2.46 million shares. The BR Cement Index witnessed selling pressure and settled lower at 14,037.75 points, declining 276.31 points, or 1.93 percent, on a volume of 24.31 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index closed at 51,416.31 points, registering a marginal decline of 44.88 points, or 0.09 percent, with 88.80 million shares traded. Similarly, the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index ended at 27,194.04 points, down 207.39 points, or 0.76 percent, as 79.40 million shares changed hands.
In contrast, selective buying was seen in energy and technology stocks. The BR Oil and Gas Index closed higher at 14,385.19 points, gaining 100.18 points, or 0.70 percent, with a turnover of 25.22 million shares. The BR Technology and Communication Index also edged up by 11 points, or 0.27 percent, to close at 4,118.37 points, supported by a robust volume of 106.00 million shares.
Overall, the session reflected a cautious market tone amid roll-over pressure and year-end positioning. Analysts believe that while higher volumes signal continued investor engagement, the near-term direction of the market is likely to remain range-bound unless fresh economic or policy triggers emerge to revive buying momentum.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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