KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its gains on Thursday, supported by broad-based buying in key stocks. However, profit-taking in selected stocks at higher levels trimmed some intraday gains, while escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia added to regional geopolitical concerns.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index advanced by 768.66 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 166,186.17 points compared with 165,417.51 points in the previous session. During the day, the index touched an intraday high of 166,877.02 points and a low of 165,613.12 points, before settling above the 166,000 mark.
The BRIndex100 closed at 18,321.77 points, gaining 107.60 points, or 0.59 percent, from the previous close of 18,214.17 points, with a total turnover of 375.266 million shares.
The BRIndex30 advanced by 697.67 points, or 1.07 percent, to close at 65,697.88 points compared with 65,000.21 points in the previous session. Its total volume stood at 225.081 million shares.
Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, noted that the market opened on a positive note and maintained its upward momentum throughout the session. However, profit-taking in selected stocks at higher levels trimmed part of the gains, although the benchmark managed to retain its position above 166,000 points at the close.
According to Ali Najib, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTC), Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Systems Limited (SYS), Hub Power Company (HUBC), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Meezan Bank (MEBL), Lucky Cement (LUCK), Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and United Bank Limited (UBL) collectively contributed 560 points to the benchmark’s gain.
He also noted that continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including reported targeting of airports and oil facilities, had heightened regional security risks. The geopolitical backdrop remained a concern even as domestic equities continued to advance.
Despite the higher closing levels, ready-market share turnover declined to 517.602 million shares from 585.895 million shares in the previous session, a decrease of 68.293 million shares. However, the value of shares traded increased by Rs3.497 billion, or 17.42 percent, to Rs23.571 billion from Rs20.074 billion.
Total market capitalisation rose by Rs83.725 billion to Rs18.475 trillion from Rs18.391 trillion in the preceding session. Market breadth remained positive, with 292 companies advancing, 169 declining and 40 remaining unchanged out of 501 active issues.
Cnergyico PK led ready-market volumes with 62.809 million shares. The stock closed at Rs12.80 against Rs12.71 in the previous session, gaining Rs0.09.
Pakistan Refinery Limited followed with 43.442 million shares. The stock closed at Rs103.76 compared with Rs99.19 previously, gaining Rs4.57.
WorldCall Telecom recorded turnover of 19.462 million shares. It settled at Rs0.98, compared with the previous close of Rs0.96.
In ready-market price movements, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited recorded the largest gain, rising by Rs97.55 to close at Rs1,073.05. Fateh Industries Limited followed, gaining Rs42.22 to settle at Rs464.43.
On the declining side, PIA Holding Company LimitedB recorded the largest fall, losing Rs135.83 to close at Rs14,351.67. Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited followed, shedding Rs79.52 to settle at Rs8,456.41.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index gained 99.92 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 21,762.80 points, with a turnover of 2.029 million shares. The BR Cement Index rose by 72.62 points, or 0.64 percent, to settle at 11,402.63 points, with 10.860 million shares traded.
The BR Commercial Banks Index advanced by 229.04 points, or 0.40 percent, to close at 57,262.50 points, recording turnover of 12.117 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index gained 204.04 points, or 0.83 percent, to settle at 24,878.12 points, with 23.134 million shares traded.
The BR Oil and Gas Index increased by 69.98 points, or 0.48 percent, to close at 14,709.06 points, with turnover of 24.026 million shares. The BR Technology and Communication Index recorded the strongest percentage gain among the reported sectoral indices, rising by 58.11 points, or 1.86 percent, to settle at 3,186.27 points, with 64.723 million shares traded.
Analysts said the market’s near-term direction would depend on whether buying interest could broaden beyond selected stocks and sustain the recovery, while geopolitical uncertainty and profit-taking at higher levels remained risks to investor confidence.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026