RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday delivered another strong session, closing at a fresh all-time high as positive investor sentiment continued to drive buying interest.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 1,496 points to close at a new all-time high of 173,896 points on Monday compared to 172,401 points on Friday. Market participation stayed healthy, with total traded volume at the ready counter reaching 858 million shares up from 798 million in the previous session and value turnover reaching approximately Rs 42.86 billion.

On Monday, the BRIndex100 opened at 18,292.67 points, touched an intraday high of 18,507.55 and a low of 18,292.67, before closing at 18,507.55 points. This marked a gain of 214.88 points, or 1.17 percent, compared with the previous close. Total volume at the BRIndex100 stood at 614.934 million shares.

Meanwhile, the BRIndex30 advanced by 357.52 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 59,881.97 points, up from 59,524.45 points on Friday. Trading volume in the BRIndex30 amounted to 390.712 million shares.

Ali Najib Deputy Head of Trading Arif Habib Ltd said that investor sentiment remained strongly positive, with notable buying interest in Fauji Foundation Group companies following the Deputy Prime Minister’s press conference over the weekend. Dar announced that the UAE intends to invest USD 1 billion in Fauji Foundation shares, bolstering confidence in the group’s listed entities.

The market capitalization rose by Rs 125 billion to reach Rs 19.59 trillion. Out of 485 actives scrips, 177 closed in positive and 272 in negative while the value of 36 stocks remained unchanged.

WorldCall Telecom was the volume leader with 52.85 million shares and closed at Rs 1.71 followed by Dost Steels Ltd. that closed at Rs 7.42 with 51 million shares. P.T.C.L. ranked third with share trading of 42.55 million shares and it closed at Rs 59.62.

Ismail Industries Limited and Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited were the top gainers increasing by Rs 115.31 and Rs 102.28 respectively to close at Rs 2,100.00 and Rs 28,910.50, while PIA Holding Company LimitedB and Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited were the top losers declining by Rs 1,516.90 and Rs 90.47 respectively to close at Rs 16,149.24 and Rs 10,169.07.

The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 23,951.43 points, posting a modest gain of 43.99 points, or 0.18 percent, with a total turnover of 1.89 million shares. The BR Cement Index ended at 14,158.65 points, up by 8.34 points, or 0.06 percent, as volumes stood at 44.67 million shares.

The BR Commercial Banks Index recorded a strong performance, closing at 52,214.13 points after gaining 332.08 points, or 0.64 percent. Total turnover in the sector reached 88.96 million shares. In contrast, the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index slipped by 88.57 points, or 0.32 percent, to close at 27,257.74 points, with a turnover of 37.01 million shares.

The BR Oil and Gas Index closed higher at 14,678.84 points, registering a gain of 139.97 points, or 0.96 percent, on a volume of 44.91 million shares. Meanwhile, the BR Technology and Communication Index outperformed other sectors, surging 107.83 points, or 2.59 percent, to close at 4,270.58 points. Trading volume in the sector stood at 129.86 million shares.