RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced another downbeat trading day on Thursday, with most key indices registering declines despite some individual company gains.

The benchmark KSE100 index dropped by 463.34 points or 0.38 percent to end the day at 120,002.59, down from its previous closing of 120,465.93. Throughout the day, the KSE 100 reached a high of 121,745.30 and a low of 119,770.03.

On Thursday, the BRIndex100 closed at 12,923.04, marking a decrease of 54.42 points or 0.42 percent. The total trading volume for the BRIndex100 was 404.54 million. Meanwhile, the BRIndex30 ended the day at 36,973.62, reflecting a loss of 282.25 points or 0.76 percent, with a total volume of 269.32 million.

Ismail Iqbal Securities in its report cited that local bourse cited another volatile session with persistent geopolitical tensions and fluctuating international oil prices, weighed on investor sentiments and kept the broader market under pressure.

Total turnover in the regular market was recorded at 604.54 million shares, a decrease from the previous day’s 707.30 million shares. The traded value in the regular market also saw a dip, from Rs 21.27 billion to Rs 20.44 billion. Moreover, the regular market’s total market capitalization closed at over Rs 14.52 trillion, a decrease of Rs 87 billion from the previous day’s Rs 14.61 trillion.

In the ready market, 155 companies saw their share prices increase, while 269 declined, and 35 remained unchanged out of 459 companies traded.

WorldCall Telecom again led the ready market in turnover with 64.60 million shares traded, closing at Rs 1.49. Sui Southern Gas followed with 35.63 million shares, closing at Rs 43.28. While, Prud Mod.1st remained the third in row with 30.29 million shares and its closing rate was Rs 4.31.

In the ready market, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited saw the most significant increase, rising by Rs 140.64 to close at Rs 23,129.64. Macter International Limited also saw a notable increase of Rs 51.39, closing at Rs 565.29. Conversely, PIA Holding Company LimitedB experienced the largest decrease, falling by Rs 1,377.01 to close at Rs 12,393.14. Hoechst Pakistan Limited also saw a substantial decline of Rs 99.24, closing at Rs 3,150.76.

Sectoral indices at the close of trading showed mixed performance. The BR Automobile Assembler Index concluded at 20,279.67 points, experiencing a 0.92 percent or 188.49 points decline with a total turnover of 2.36 million. The BR Cement Index closed at 10,130.46 points, down 1.09 percent or 111.26 points, and recorded a total turnover of 29.30 million.

In contrast, the BR Commercial Banks Index ended positively at 36,654.95 points, gaining 142.13 points or 0.39 percent, with a total turnover of 30.95 million. Meanwhile, the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index finished at 20,504.67 points, decreasing by 341.97 points or 1.64 percent on a total turnover of 25.59 million.

The BR Oil and Gas Index closed at 11,514.03, down 0.32 percent or 36.89 points, with 53.90 million in total turnover. Finally, the BR Technology & Communication Index with 92.49 million turnover ended at 2,849.61 points, or 0.51 percent decrease.

Topline Securities, in its commentary said that the local bourse kicked off the trading session on a strong footing on Thursday, buoyed by news that the federal cabinet has green lit a financial restructuring plan aimed at slashing Rs1.275 trillion in circular debt within the power sector over the next six years.

Riding on this optimism, the benchmark index surged to an intraday high of 1,279 points. However, the bullish momentum was short-lived, as profit-taking set in later in the session, in line with global market trends.

Moreover, the rising geopolitical tensions particularly the intensifying standoff between Iran and Israel dampened investor sentiment and led to a broad-based pullback, overshadowing the earlier euphoria and highlighting the fragility of market confidence in a volatile global environment.