RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange ended Friday’s session under heavy selling pressure, as the market drifted lower throughout the day and ultimately closed sharply in the red.

The KSE-100 Index finished at 162,102.92 after losing 834.01 points, with the benchmark unable to hold onto brief periods of stability seen earlier in the session. Although the index fluctuated between gains and losses during the morning hours—reaching a high of 163,357.51, it gradually lost ground and touched an intraday low of 161,853.59 before settling near the day’s bottom.

The BRIndex100 closed at 17,157.09, down 110.13 points, marking a decline of 0.64 percent on total volumes of 594.40 million shares. BRIndex30 mirrored this softness, ending the session at 54,760.64, lower by 384.08 points or 0.70 percent, with turnover of 433.33 million shares.

Analysts noted that the market’s directionlessness for most of the day was due to a continued absence of fresh triggers. Insights gathered from Topline Securities suggested that the market drifted within a narrow band throughout much of the session before finally weakening in the final hour.

Their review pointed out that although stocks such as HBL, Bank of Punjab, Fatima Fertilizer, MCB and Habib Metropolitan Bank collectively contributed around 150 positive points to the benchmark, the index ultimately turned downward as heavyweights including Fauji Fertilizer, Pakistan Petroleum, Engro and Maple Leaf Cement collectively eroded approximately 417 points, pulling the market into a deeper decline.

Market breadth favoured the bears throughout the day. Out of 476 listed companies traded in the ready market, 289 finished lower, 145 managed to advance and 42 remained unchanged.

Trading activity, however, remained brisk despite dampened sentiment. Turnover in the ready market rose to 768.05 million shares from 725.87 million shares in the previous session, although traded value fell significantly to Rs 28.64 billion from Rs 35.31 billion, largely due to heightened interest in lower-priced stocks.

Market capitalization contracted accordingly, sliding from Rs 18.585 trillion to Rs 18.512 trillion.

Retail and mid-tier stocks once again dominated volumes. WorldCall Telecom led the market with 76.71 million shares and closed at Rs 1.89. K-Electric attracted sustained interest with 64.27 million shares, ending at Rs 5.62. Bank Makramah registered 61.38 million shares to close at Rs 5.94.

Among price movers, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) posted an exceptional rise of Rs 140 to close at Rs 24,562, while Nestle Pakistan added Rs 54.33 and finished at Rs 8,049.33. On the other hand, Unilever Pakistan Foods experienced one of the steepest declines of the session, falling by Rs 531.71 to settle at Rs 29,368.29. Supernet Technologies also slid significantly, losing Rs 154.51 to close at Rs 1,642.79.

The BR Automobile Assembler Index ended at 24,352.41, down 74.73 points, reflecting a 0.31 percent decline on trade volumes of 1.31 million shares. The BR Cement Index also weakened, closing at 12,704.34 after losing 79.16 points, a drop of 0.62 percent, with turnover reaching 22.98 million shares.

The BR Commercial Banks Index, however, offered some relief as it moved to 48,055.75 with a positive change of 51.94 points with 99.49 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index slipped to 25,484.99, losing 28.21 points or 0.11 percent, on volumes of 79.00 million shares.

Pressure was also evident in the BR Oil and Gas Index, which fell to 13,961.15 after declining 103.43 points, or 0.74 percent, with 40.51 million shares traded. The BR Tech & Communication Index closed at 3,792.72, showing a loss of 21.65 points, down 0.57 percent, while recording strong turnover of 129.70 million shares.

Analysts noted that with investors remaining cautious and no major developments providing clarity on future direction, the final trading session of the week concluded with sentiment firmly weighed down by profit-taking and sector-wide pressure.