KARACHI:
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed on a positive note on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index gaining 258 points to close at 149,493. Despite the upward movement, the session remained volatile as investors actively adjusted positions amid mixed market sentiment.
Trading volumes dropped to 336 million shares from 426 million in the previous session, reflecting cautious activity. The rally was largely supported by Commercial Banks, Oil & Gas Exploration Companies, and Fertilizer sectors, which cumulatively contributed 248 points to the index.
Sector-wise, Banks led the gains by adding 106 points, followed by Exploration & Production (73 points) and Fertiliser (69 points). Conversely, Pharma weighed on the market, dragging the index down by 110 points.
Among individual stocks, FFC (+90.74 points), NBP (+59.78 points), and AKBL (+53.61 points) were the top positive contributors, while SEARL (-102.39 points), MEBL (-65.37 points), and ENGROH (-49.58 points) emerged as the major laggards.
In key market data, the KMI-30 index closed at 211,667, down 0.25%, while the broader KSE-All Share Index edged up 0.08% to 91,988. The rupee remained largely stable, with USD/PKR slipping 0.01% to 281.905.
Market watchers noted that despite the index’s positive close, investor sentiment remained cautious due to volatility in volumes, with participants closely monitoring macroeconomic signals and corporate earnings announcements.
