KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange witnessed a subdued trading session on Friday as the benchmark KSE-100 Index closed lower in a lackluster Ramazan session, with investor activity remaining muted amid geopolitical concerns and ahead of the weekend.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 153,866.17 points, registering a decline of 555.27 points or 0.36 percent compared with the previous close of 154,421.43 points. During the session, the index moved within a range of 152,780.79 points to 155,002.11 points.
On Friday, BRIndex100 closed at 17,306.10 points, which was 106.45 points or 0.61 percent lower than the previous close, with total traded volume of 196.07 million shares. On the other hand, BRIndex30 closed at 60,874.17 points, gaining 252.03 points or 0.42 percent, with a total traded volume of 126.77 million shares.
According to Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Corporation, the PSX experienced a lackluster session with investors largely remaining cautious during the shortened Ramadan trading hours. He noted that concerns over possible geopolitical developments kept market participants on the sidelines and limited overall trading activity.
Among index movers, Engro Holdings, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Lucky Cement, Bank Alfalah, and Hub Power Company collectively added 98 points to the benchmark index. On the other hand, United Bank Limited, Faysal Bank Limited, Systems Limited, Mari Petroleum Company, and Attock Refinery Limited acted as major drags and erased 90 points from the index amid profit-taking in heavyweight stocks.
Overall market participation remained subdued. Total traded volume in the ready market was recorded at 303.01 million shares, compared with 404.25 million shares in the previous session. The traded value stood at Rs14.69 billion, down from Rs24.67 billion previously. Meanwhile, total market capitalization declined to Rs17.329 trillion from Rs17.366 trillion, reflecting a contraction of approximately Rs37 billion during the session.
Market breadth also reflected a mixed sentiment. In the Ready Market, 190 companies closed higher, 205 declined, and 77 remained unchanged, out of a total of 472 traded companies.
Among the volume leaders in the ready market, Dost Steels Limited emerged as the most actively traded stock with a turnover of 27.79 million shares, closing at 5.70. Hascol Petroleum followed with 25.42 million shares, closing at 17.99 against 17.46 previously. Bank of Punjab recorded a turnover of 16.32 million shares and closed at 27.26.
Among companies reflecting increases in share prices, Blessed Textiles Limited increased by 47.48 to close at 522.27, while Pakistan Services Limited increased by 44.61 to close at 891.83.
On the downside, PIA Holding Company Limited B decreased by 378.50 to close at 16,646.00, while Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited decreased by 343.78 to close at 24,656.22.
Sector-wise, the BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 23,019.34 points, down 182.40 points or 0.79 percent, with a total turnover of 1.21 million shares. The BR Cement Index closed at 10,039.13 points, declining 77.47 points or 0.77 percent, with trading volume of 17.26 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index closed at 53,093.22 points, gaining 304.83 points or 0.58 percent, with total turnover of 30.19 million shares.
The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index closed at 25,423.98 points, down 223.96 points or 0.87 percent, with trading volume of 31.28 million shares. Similarly, the BR Oil and Gas Index closed at 13,485.48 points, registering a decline of 21.81 points or 0.16 percent, with total turnover of 37.88 million shares. In contrast, the BR Technology and Communication Index closed at 3,222.29 points, gaining 9.12 points or 0.28 percent, with a turnover of 23.20 million shares.
Analysts noted that if external conditions remain stable, the recent positive undertone could pave the way for a gradual recovery, although investors are likely to remain cautious while monitoring political and international developments before taking fresh positions.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026