RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its strong post-ceasefire rally on Friday, with the Index surging sharply on the back of aggressive buying, and optimism surrounding potential progress in US–Iran negotiations, which continued to drive a risk-on environment across the market.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index recorded a robust gain of 4,027.06 points or 2.37 percent to close at 173,939.01 points, up from the previous close of 169,911.95 points. The index remained strong throughout the session, touching an intraday high of 174,404.03 points and a low of 170,758.26 points, reflecting sustained upward momentum.

The BRIndex100 closed at 19,716.90 points, gaining 495.46 points or 2.58 percent compared to the previous close, with total traded volume of 1.17 billion shares. The BRIndex30 also posted a strong increase of 3,192.18 points or 4.69 percent to close at 71,310.20 points, with total volume of 727.16 million shares.

According to Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, PSX witnessed a “bullish rampage,” as the market continued its strong post-ceasefire rally with sentiment remaining firmly positive throughout the session. He noted that investors actively chased gains amid optimism over a potential Middle East resolution, while ongoing diplomatic developments, leading participants to rebuild exposure aggressively.

He added that key index contributors including UBL, NBP, PPL, OGDC, LUCK, HBL, BOP, HUBC, ENGROH, and BAHL collectively added 2,497 points to the benchmark index.

Overall market activity surged significantly, reflecting heightened investor participation. The ready market recorded a turnover of 1.44 billion shares, up from 972.71 million shares in the previous session, while traded value increased to Rs 67.99 billion compared to Rs 43.93 billion.

Market capitalization rose sharply to Rs 19.25 trillion from Rs 18.80 trillion, reflecting a substantial increase of approximately Rs 448.50 billion during the session.

Market breadth remained overwhelmingly positive, with 354 companies advancing, 101 declining, and 31 remaining unchanged out of 486 companies traded in the ready market.

Trading activity in the ready market was led by Bank of Punjab, which recorded a massive turnover of 153.72 million shares and closed at Rs 37.01, up from Rs 33.94. K-Electric followed with 134.42 million shares, closing at Rs 8.21, while Treet Battery Limited traded 77.60 million shares and closed at Rs 9.94.

Among major price movers, Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited recorded a significant increase of Rs 299.14 to close at Rs 9,637.84, while Sazgar Engineering Works Limited gained Rs 78.89 to close at Rs 2,233.70. On the downside, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited declined by Rs 150.56 to close at Rs 26,348.34, while Hoechst Pakistan Limited fell by Rs 22.49 to settle at Rs 3,987.51.

Sector-wise performance remained broadly positive, with all major indices posting gains. The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 26,491.14 points, up 604.52 points or 2.34 percent, with turnover of 7.13 million shares.

The BR Cement Index gained 277.67 points or 2.32 percent to settle at 12,252.34 points, with trading volume of 41.20 million shares.

The BR Commercial Banks Index emerged as a key outperformer, closing at 60,557.44 points, up 2,274.67 points or 3.90 percent, with turnover of 211.80 million shares, reflecting strong buying interest in banking stocks.

The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index increased by 622.02 points or 2.17 percent to close at 29,256.52 points, with trading volume of 172.68 million shares.

The BR Oil and Gas Index recorded a gain of 393.17 points or 2.66 percent to settle at 15,177.16 points, with turnover of 97.34 million shares, while the BR Technology and Communication Index closed at 3,777.70 points, up 46.89 points or 1.26 percent, with total volume of 130.01 million shares.

Overall, Friday’s session reflected a continuation of strong bullish momentum at the PSX, driven by improving geopolitical sentiment, aggressive institutional participation, and broad-based buying across sectors, with investors positioning themselves ahead of potential developments in US–Iran negotiations expected to shape near-term market direction.