KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed lower on Thursday as profit-taking and muted investor sentiment weighed on overall market performance.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index fell by 481.40 points, or 0.30 percent, to close at 159,096.79 points, compared with 159,578.19 points a day earlier. The benchmark moved between an intraday high of 160,590.77 points and a low of 158,252.63 points, reflecting cautious trading activity throughout the day.
On Thursday, the BRIndex100 closed at 16,709.73 points, showing a decline of 66.91 points, or 0.40 percent, compared with the previous close. The total volume stood at 742.04 million shares. The BRIndex30 closed at 53,122.79 points, down 261.70 points, or 0.49 percent, with a total turnover of 485.74 million shares.
According to Topline Securities, the market lost steam after a strong start to the week as investor sentiment remained lackluster due to the absence of major news flow. With no clear drivers in sight, trading remained largely range-bound and subdued. Losses were mainly driven by UBL, MEBL, OGDC, MLCF, and ENGROH, which collectively erased 285 points from the index. On the other hand, PSEL, COLG, HUBC, AKBL, and PTC provided partial support, contributing 236 points to the benchmark.
Trading volumes rose, though overall market value slightly declined. The ready market turnover stood at 957.30 million shares, compared with 860.26 million shares in the previous session. The traded value, however, fell to Rs30.45 billion, from Rs34.85 billion a day earlier. The market capitalization also slipped to Rs18.22 trillion, compared with Rs18.27 trillion previously loosing Rs51 billion.
Out of 476 companies that traded on the ready board, 199 closed higher, 230 ended lower, and 47 remained unchanged.
Bank Makramah Limited (BML) led the volume chart with 93.03 million shares, closing at Rs5.50. Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited (PIBTL) followed with 74.45 million shares, closing higher at Rs15.24, while K-Electric Limited (KEL) recorded 58.33 million shares, ending at Rs5.26.
Among major gainers, PIA Holding Company Limited rose Rs259.90 to close at Rs24,685.40, followed by Pakistan Services Limited, which increased Rs133.42 to settle at Rs1,517.91. On the losing side, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited declined Rs614.72 to close at Rs28,585.28, while Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited lost Rs44.41, ending at Rs9,564.54.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 24,824.75, recording a decrease of 130.07 points, or 0.52 percent, with a total turnover of 4.29 million shares. The BR Cement Index settled at 12,285.18, down 99.58 points, or 0.80 percent, with a total turnover of 29.39 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index closed at 48,513.50, reflecting a decline of 198.77 points, or 0.41 percent, and a total turnover of 132.03 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index ended at 25,048.00, showing an increase of 50.93 points, or 0.20 percent, with a total turnover of 65.61 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index closed at 13,348.97, down 91.79 points, or 0.68 percent, with a total turnover of 60.31 million shares. The BR Technology and Communication Index settled at 3,790.35, showing a decline of 12.21 points, or 0.32 percent, with a total turnover of 106.38 million shares.
Overall, the session reflected subdued investor participation, with the market closing lower amid cautious sentiment and selective trading across key sectors.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025