KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its winning streak on Thursday as easing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran, coupled with a sharp decline in international oil prices, continued to underpin investor confidence. However, late-session profit-taking erased part of the day’s gains, leaving the benchmark index with a modest positive close.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 184,520.96 points, gaining 470.86 points or 0.26 percent over the previous close of 184,050.10 points. The market remained volatile during the day, with the index climbing to an intraday high of 185,890.53 points before retreating on profit-taking to an intraday low of 184,214.80 points.
Business Recorder indices also reflected the market’s positive undertone. The BRIndex100 closed at 20,340.75 points, up 78.12 points or 0.39 percent, with a total trading volume of 734.67 million shares.
The BRIndex30 ended at 74,827.87 points, gaining 523.71 points or 0.70 percent, with turnover of 475.75 million shares.
Darson Securities noted that the easing of geopolitical risks, supported by positive remarks from US President Donald Trump regarding diplomatic discussions held in Qatar, helped sustain buying interest throughout the session despite the late selling pressure. They added that heavyweight stocks including UBL, Lucky Cement, OGDC, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and TRG Pakistan remained the key drivers of the market’s advance, collectively contributing around 469 points to the benchmark index.
Overall market participation remained exceptionally strong. Trading volume in the Ready Market increased to 994.75 million shares, compared with 941.48 million shares in the previous session, indicating sustained investor interest. Despite the higher volume, the total value of traded shares moderated slightly to Rs55.79 billion from Rs57.09 billion recorded a day earlier, reflecting relatively lower average transaction values.
The market’s total capitalization continued its upward trajectory, expanding by around Rs89.71 billion to Rs20.63 trillion, compared with Rs20.54 trillion in the previous session, highlighting continued wealth creation despite profit-taking during the latter half of trading.
Market breadth remained positive, although the gap between advancing and declining stocks narrowed due to profit-taking. In the Ready Market, 256 companies closed higher, 217 ended lower and 21 remained unchanged out of 494 traded companies.
Among actively traded stocks, TPL Properties led the volume chart with 84.69 million shares, closing at Rs11.23. It was followed by The Bank of Punjab, which traded 59.31 million shares to close at Rs36.77, while Cnergyico PK recorded turnover of 40.05 million shares, ending at Rs8.39.
On the gainers’ table, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) remained the top performer, rising Rs144.50 to close at Rs18,294.00, followed by Thal Industries Corporation Limited, which gained Rs96.10 to settle at Rs1,057.07. Among the decliners, Service Industries Limited shed Rs56.67 to close at Rs2,287.48, while Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited lost Rs48.50, ending at Rs25,650.50.
Sector-wise, the BR Oil & Gas Index emerged as the strongest performer, rising 109.50 points or 0.70 percent to 15,663.79 points on turnover of 63.51 million shares. The BR Cement Index advanced 76.98 points or 0.58 percent to 13,371.22 points, with 60.38 million shares traded.
The BR Tech & Communication Index increased 18.91 points or 0.48 percent to 3,981.34 points on volume of 115.31 million shares, while the BR Commercial Banks Index added 34.97 points or 0.06 percent to settle at 63,309.22 points, supported by turnover of 115.95 million shares.
In contrast, the BR Automobile Assembler Index slipped 35.72 points or 0.15 percent to 24,247.06 points, while the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index eased 40.90 points or 0.14 percent to 29,700.27 points.
Despite late profit-taking, analysts said the market continues to draw support from easing geopolitical tensions, lower international oil prices and improving investor confidence. They noted that future direction will depend on developments on the global geopolitical front, movements in crude oil prices, upcoming macroeconomic indicators and corporate earnings announcements.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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