KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended Tuesday’s session with moderate gains as thin volumes and profit-taking capped the upward momentum despite supportive global cues and easing geopolitical concerns.
The KSE-100 Index closed at 153,966.36 points, gaining 1,225.99 points or 0.80 percent compared to the previous close of 152,740.38 points. The benchmark touched an intraday high of 157,442.68 points and a low of 153,382.01 points, reflecting sharp early optimism followed by consolidation as the session progressed.
BRIndex100 closed at 17,284.34 points, gaining 263.11 points or 1.55 percent, with total traded volume recorded at 302.51 million shares. BRIndex30, however, edged down by 103.56 points or 0.17 percent to close at 59,847.46 points, with traded volume standing at 184.69 million shares.
According to Topline Securities, the day began on a hopeful note as the local bourse tracked buoyant international markets. Easing geopolitical tensions and a dip in global oil prices encouraged early buying, pushing the index sharply higher and lifting overall sentiment. However, as the session unfolded, the initial euphoria faded due to a lack of strong participation, with thin trading volumes failing to sustain the rally.
Heavyweight stocks including Engro Holdings, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Lucky Cement, Systems Limited, and Hub Power Company led the early charge and collectively contributed 1,184 points to the benchmark. Conversely, MCB Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, Sazgar Engineering Works, Kohat Cement, and Nestle Pakistan emerged as key laggards, erasing 237 points from the index and limiting overall gains.
Trading activity in the ready market improved in terms of volumes. Total traded volume rose to 375.34 million shares from 326.64 million shares in the previous session, while traded value increased to Rs22.98 billion from Rs19.40 billion. Overall market capitalization expanded to Rs17.15 trillion compared to Rs17.07 trillion a day earlier, indicating net wealth creation during the session.
Market breadth remained positive. Out of 485 companies traded in the ready market, 277 advanced, 141 declined, and 67 remained unchanged.
Among the most actively traded companies in the ready market, K-Electric Limited led the volumes chart with 35.83 million shares, closing at Rs7.64. Unity Foods Limited followed with 31.58 million shares, closing at Rs7.99. Bank of Punjab recorded a turnover of 24.52 million shares and settled at Rs26.01.
In the ready market, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited emerged as the top gainer, rising by Rs307.79 to close at Rs25,000.00, followed by Blessed Textiles Limited which gained Rs76.47 to settle at Rs841.14. On the downside, Nestle Pakistan Limited declined by Rs187.17 to close at Rs7,700.00, while Sazgar Engineering Works Limited fell by Rs55.21 to settle at Rs1,756.74.
Sectoral indices showed mixed trends. The BR Automobile Assembler Index declined by 184.21 points or 0.81 percent to close at 22,602.13 points, with turnover of 2.19 million shares.
The BR Cement Index rose by 156.35 points or 1.56 percent to settle at 10,165.53 points, with traded volume of 30.73 million shares, reflecting strong buying interest in cement stocks.
The BR Commercial Banks Index inched up by 60.12 points or 0.11 percent to close at 52,605.71 points, with turnover of 39.52 million shares.
The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index gained 342.99 points or 1.36 percent to settle at 25,498.82 points, with traded volume of 56.57 million shares, making it one of the most active sectors during the session.
The BR Oil and Gas Index added 23.50 points or 0.17 percent to close at 13,661.35 points, with turnover of 26.96 million shares, while the BR Technology and Communication Index emerged as one of the top performers, rising 80.30 points or 2.47 percent to settle at 3,331.56 points, with traded volume of 28.31 million shares.
Analysts noted that the session reflected a tug-of-war between improving external cues and subdued domestic participation. While early optimism pushed the market sharply higher, the inability of volumes to sustain the rally resulted in partial profit-taking, leaving the benchmark to close with moderate gains and signaling that investors remain cautious despite improving global sentiment.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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