KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened the first session of December on a strong upward trajectory, with major indices, market capitalization and trading volumes all showing robust improvement, mainly attributed to the strong institutional buying.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index surged by 1,384.50 points to close at 168,062.19, compared with 166,677.70 in the previous session, after moving between an intraday high of 168,246.23 and a low of 166,024.80.
The BRIndex100 settled at 17,772.98, gaining 143.86 points or 0.82 percent, with a total traded volume of 574.62 million shares. The BRIndex30 finished at 56,717.24, up 933.19 points or 1.67 percent, on 345.89 million shares.
Analysts at Topline Securities said the market displayed sustained strength throughout the day, supported by improved investor confidence and steady institutional activity. Market momentum remained firmly positive, and according to the assessment, the upward movement was broadly aligned with strong sectoral participation and healthier liquidity conditions.
Topline further stated that the KSE-100 Index ended the session on solid footing, with market sentiment staying upbeat throughout the day, bolstered by institutional buying as reflected in NCCPL data. Key index heavyweights — HUBC, OGDC, LUCK, MARI, and MCB — collectively contributed around 622 points to the benchmark’s overall rise, reinforcing the rally’s strength.
Market capitalization expanded to Rs19.03 trillion from Rs18.87 trillion. Regular market turnover rose sharply to 735.52 million shares from 592.75 million shares, while traded value increased to Rs46.18 billion.
Market breadth remained strongly positive, with 278 companies advancing, 162 declining, and 44 remaining unchanged in the Ready Market.
F. Nat. Equities led the ready market with 70.03 million shares traded at Rs18.51, followed by Beco Steel with 42.56 million shares at Rs7.10. WorldCall Telecom posted 41.72 million shares at Rs1.84.
PIA Holding Company Limited recorded the strongest price gain of the session, rising by Rs379 to close at Rs24,356. Hoechst Pakistan followed with an increase of Rs56.29 to Rs4,257.02. On the downside, Unilever Pakistan Foods fell by Rs103.50 to Rs28,996.50, while Shield Corporation declined by Rs35.38 to Rs507.58.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 24,574.64, down 18.67 points or 0.08 percent, with a turnover of 2811.12 million shares. The BR Cement Index ended at 13,406.92, gaining 187.59 points or 1.42 percent, with 47.32 million shares traded.
The BR Commercial Banks Index closed at 49,472.92, up 52.94 points or 0.11 percent, on 65.29 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index climbed to 26,703.17, rising 765.13 points or 2.95 percent, with a turnover of 39.79 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index settled at 14,456.10, up 188.35 points or 1.32 percent, with 66.67 million shares traded. The BR Technology and Communication Index finished at 4,004.67, an increase of 80.52 points or 2.05 percent, on 139.69 million shares.
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