RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) sustained its bullish momentum on Tuesday as strong institutional buying, broad-based participation, and rising turnover propelled key indices higher, reinforcing investor confidence across major sectors.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed up by 1,842.91 points, or 1.00 percent, to settle at 186,900.74 points, compared with the previous close of 185,057.83 points. Throughout the session, the index remained firmly in positive territory, touching an intraday high of 187,518.79 points and a low of 185,545.93 points, reflecting steady buying interest from the opening bell until the close.

The BRIndex100 closed at 21,440.26, registering a gain of 253.89 points, or 1.20 percent, with a total trading volume of 681.50 million shares. The BRIndex30 also ended higher, rising 1,214.87 points, or 1.51 percent, to settle at 81,484.55 points on a turnover of 481.82 million shares.

Investor participation remained robust across all market segments. In the ready market, 294 companies closed higher, while 145 recorded losses and 47 remained unchanged out of 486 traded scrips.

According to the Topline Sales Desk, bulls maintained firm control of the session, extending their upward march as the index posted a solid gain. They attributed the strength to continued institutional participation highlighted by recent National Clearing Company data, which reinforced investor confidence and supported the day’s positive close.

Heavyweight stocks played a decisive role in lifting the market, with Fauji Fertilizer Company, United Bank Limited, Engro Holdings, Meezan Bank, and Systems Limited collectively contributing around 734 points to the benchmark index.

Trading activity strengthened notably during the session. Ready market turnover rose to 848.56 million shares from 740.09 million shares in the previous session, while traded value increased to Rs50.03 billion from Rs42.20 billion. The surge in prices and volumes translated into a significant expansion in market capitalization, which climbed to Rs21.15 trillion from Rs20.97 trillion, reflecting a gain of more than Rs180 billion in a single trading day.

Investor interest remained heavily concentrated in high-volume stocks. K-Electric Limited emerged as the session’s top traded stock, with 99.51 million shares changing hands, closing at Rs7.35. First National Equities followed closely, recording 91.35 million shares and closing at Rs1.74, while Bank of Punjab ranked third with 86.29 million shares, closing at Rs40.04.

On the upside, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited recorded the largest price increase, rising Rs110.17 to close at Rs27,139.81, while Blessed Textiles Limited advanced Rs61.34 to settle at Rs674.77. On the downside, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) posted the steepest decline, shedding Rs304.49 to close at Rs19,494.51, followed by Sazgar Engineering Works Limited, which declined Rs40.88 to Rs2,302.05.

Sectoral BR indices largely remained in positive territory. The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 28,024.40, up 99.74 points, or 0.36 percent, with 4.50 million shares traded, while the BR Cement Index rose 40.66 points, or 0.30 percent, to close at 13,522.37 on a turnover of 27.62 million shares.

The BR Commercial Banks Index surged 1,016.98 points, or 1.57 percent, to settle at 65,888.60, supported by heavy trading volume of 117.16 million shares. The power sector also closed higher, with the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index gaining 213.08 points, or 0.72 percent, to finish at 29,919.54 on a turnover of 141.94 million shares.

The energy segment showed marginal weakness, as the BR Oil and Gas Index slipped 1.30 points, or 0.01 percent, to close at 16,324.27 with 50.67 million shares traded. In contrast, technology stocks outperformed the broader market, with the BR Technology and Communication Index climbing 99.36 points, or 2.38 percent, to settle at 4,273.94, supported by a turnover of 88.51 million shares.

Overall, the session underscored sustained bullish sentiment at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, driven by strong institutional participation, broad-based sectoral gains, rising volumes, and expanding market capitalization.