KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed marginally higher on Friday as a lack of fresh market triggers and elevated global crude oil prices kept investors cautious, limiting gains during a range-bound trading session.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 233.55 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 166,419.72 points compared with 166,186.17 points in the previous session. The index fluctuated within a range of 751.85 points, touching an intraday high of 166,708.36 points and a low of 165,956.51 points.
Business Recorder indices also reflected mixed movements across major sectors. The BRIndex100 closed at 18,321.13 points, down 0.64 points from the previous close of 18,321.77 points. The BRIndex30 fell by 261.06 points, or 0.40 percent, to close at 65,436.82 points compared with 65,697.88 points previously. Its total volume stood at 180.455 million shares.
Topline Securities noted in its market review that the index traded between an intraday gain of 0.31 percent and a decline of 0.14 percent before closing in positive territory, up 0.14 percent. The brokerage attributed the range-bound performance to the absence of fresh triggers and elevated crude oil prices.
According to Topline Securities, Systems Limited (SYS), United Bank Limited (UBL), MCB Bank, Bank AL Habib (BAHL) and Engro Fertilizers (EFERT) were the leading positive contributors, collectively adding 269 points to the benchmark. On the other hand, Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Lucky Cement (LUCK), Meezan Bank (MEBL), Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTC) and Engro Holdings (ENGROH) weighed on the index, collectively erasing 223 points.
Ready-market trading activity weakened considerably compared with the previous session. Total turnover declined to 396.905 million shares from 517.602 million shares on Thursday, a decrease of 120.697 million shares, or 23.32 percent.
The value of shares traded fell by Rs4.892 billion, or 20.75 percent, to Rs18.679 billion from Rs23.571 billion previously. Total market capitalisation decreased by Rs4.347 billion to Rs18.480 trillion from Rs18.474 trillion in the preceding session.
Market breadth turned negative, with 254 companies declining, 211 advancing and 33 remaining unchanged out of 498 active issues, indicating that the modest rise in the benchmark was accompanied by weakness across a larger number of listed companies.
Pakistan Refinery Limited led ready-market volumes with 38.425 million shares. The stock closed at Rs106.95 against Rs103.76 previously, gaining Rs3.19.
Cnergyico PK followed with 37.138 million shares. The closed at Rs12.85 compared with Rs12.80 in the previous session, gaining Rs0.05.
K-Electric Limited recorded turnover of 27.980 million shares. It closed at Rs6.09 against Rs5.91 previously, gaining Rs0.18.
Among ready-market price gainers, PIA Holding Company LimitedB recorded the largest advance, rising by Rs214.66 to close at Rs14,566.33. Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited followed, gaining Rs109.01 to settle at Rs25,550.00.
On the declining side, Thal Industries Corporation Limited recorded the largest fall, losing Rs47.16 to close at Rs752.83. Faisal Spinning Mills Limited followed, shedding Rs21.28 to settle at Rs288.72.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index rose by 50.25 points, or 0.23 percent, to close at 21,813.05 points, with turnover of 1.601 million shares. In contrast, the BR Cement Index declined by 38.91 points, or 0.34 percent, to settle at 11,363.72 points, with 8.066 million shares traded.
The BR Commercial Banks Index gained 104.15 points, or 0.18 percent, to close at 57,366.65 points, recording a turnover of 11.530 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index advanced by 97.13 points, or 0.39 percent, to settle at 24,975.25 points, with 43.707 million shares traded.
The BR Oil and Gas Index lost 9.80 points, or 0.07 percent, to close at 14,699.26 points, with turnover of 15.837 million shares. The BR Technology and Communication Index gained 22.20 points, or 0.70 percent, to finish at 3,208.47 points, recording 44.234 million shares.
Analysts said the market could remain within tight technical ranges in the near term as investors await corporate earnings results and fresh macroeconomic developments. They added that international energy-market movements would remain an important factor influencing sentiment, while the absence of clear catalysts could limit the sustainability of further gains.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026