KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained under pressure on Friday as another dull trading session ended in negative territory, with persistent selling in index-heavy stocks dragging the benchmark lower amid cautious investor sentiment.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index lost 902.76 points or 0.54 percent to close at 165,596.07 points against 166,498.84 points recorded in the previous session. The market remained range-bound during the session, touching an intraday high of 166,924.48 points and a low of 165,291.53 points, reflecting the cautious mood prevailing at the local bourse.
The BRIndex100 closed at 18,190.70 points, down by 119.64 points or 0.65 percent from the previous close, with total traded volume standing at 432.100 million shares. The BRIndex30 ended marginally higher at 66,275.99 points, gaining 1.33 points, while total traded volume stood at 268.166 million shares.
According to Topline Securities, another dull trading session was observed at the exchange, which eventually closed in the red. The brokerage house noted that selling pressure in major index-heavy stocks kept the market subdued throughout the session. Topline Securities said Bank Al-Habib, Engro Holdings, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Lucky Cement, United Bank Limited, Oil and Gas Development Company and Meezan Bank collectively weighed down the benchmark index by 1,143 points.
Trading activity in the ready market weakened in volume terms, with total turnover declining to 625.454 million shares from 706.020 million shares in the previous session. However, traded value improved significantly to Rs22.309 billion from Rs19.922 billion.
However, market capitalization of the ready market decreased to Rs18.390 trillion from Rs18.475 trillion, indicating an erosion of approximately Rs85.68 billion.
Market breadth remained negative as declining shares continued to outnumber advancing stocks. Out of a total of 485 companies traded in the ready market, 272 closed lower, 168 advanced while 45 remained unchanged.
Among the most actively traded companies in the ready market, Hascol Petroleum led the volume chart with 86.254 million shares traded, closing at Rs23.47. K-Electric followed with turnover of 78.245 million shares, ending unchanged at Rs8.46. Cnergyico PK traded 46.442 million shares and closed at Rs8.83 compared to Rs8.80 previously.
Among gainers, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited surged by Rs130.95 to close at Rs1,440.42, while Sazgar Engineering Works Limited advanced by Rs88.76 to settle at Rs2,210.37. On the losing side, PIA Holding Company LimitedB witnessed the steepest decline, falling by Rs591.00 to close at Rs18,206.00, while Khyber Textile Mills Limited shed Rs42.58 to settle at Rs1,521.45.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index emerged among the gainers and closed at 27,034.44 points, up by 182.74 points or 0.68 percent, with turnover reaching 2.580 million shares. The BR Tech and Communication Index also posted a marginal gain of 4.00 points or 0.11 percent to settle at 3,715.26 points, recording turnover of 43.190 million shares.
However, most sectors remained under pressure. The BR Cement Index declined by 119.70 points or 1.05 percent to close at 11,274.92 points with turnover of 21.590 million shares. The BR Commercial Banks Index lost 358.92 points or 0.65 percent to settle at 55,060.57 points, recording turnover of 50.826 million shares.
The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index slipped by 105.02 points or 0.38 percent to close at 27,413.82 points with turnover reaching 92.327 million shares. The BR Oil and Gas Index also edged lower by 9.74 points or 0.07 percent to settle at 14,748.15 points, while turnover stood at 113.521 million shares.
Market analysts said the local bourse is likely to remain cautious in the near term, with investor sentiment expected to stay sensitive to corporate earnings, macroeconomic signals and developments in regional and global markets. They added that sustained institutional buying and clarity on external risks would be required to restore bullish momentum at the exchange.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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