RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed modestly higher on Tuesday as improved investor sentiment, supported by declining international oil prices and encouraged select buying in key sectors helped the benchmark index recover part of the losses recorded in the previous session.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 421.57 points, or 0.25 percent, to close at 171,021.77 points against 170,600.20 points recorded a day earlier. During the session, the index touched an intraday high of 171,856.36 points and a low of 170,248.47 points.

BRIndex100 closed at 18,836.39 points, up 40.69 points or 0.22 percent, with total volume of 400.76 million shares. BRIndex30 gained 154.74 points, or 0.23 percent, to close at 68,672.08 points on turnover of 249.14 million shares.

According to Topline Securities, market confidence strengthened primarily due to the retreat in global crude oil prices, which provided support to investor sentiment and encouraged buying activity across major sectors of the economy. Although trading remained volatile during the session, the benchmark KSE-100 Index managed to finish in positive territory.

Topline Securities said the positive market performance was largely driven by heavyweight stocks including Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL), Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), United Bank Limited (UBL), Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTC), and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), which collectively contributed approximately 460 points to the benchmark index.

Market capitalization expanded to Rs18.94 trillion from Rs18.88 trillion recorded in the previous session, reflecting an increase of more than Rs63 billion in listed equity values.

Market breadth remained nearly balanced but slightly tilted toward declining stocks. In the Ready Market, 221 companies advanced, 226 declined and 41 remained unchanged out of 488 active issues.

Trading activity was concentrated in low-priced and speculative counters. WorldCall Telecom emerged as the volume leader with turnover of 42.98 million shares, closing at Rs1.29. It was followed by Treet Battery Limited with 41.01 million shares and a closing price of Rs10.82, while Dewan Cement ranked third with 30.50 million shares and a closing price of Rs11.80. Other actively traded stocks included Oilboy Energy, TRG Pakistan, Treet Corporation, ITANZ Technologies, PTCL, Crescent Star Insurance and The Bank of Punjab.

On the gainers’ board, The Thal Industries Corporation Limited posted the highest increase, rising by Rs84.70 to close at Rs931.72, followed by Nestle Pakistan Limited, which gained Rs56.29 to settle at Rs7,702.00. On the losing side, PIA Holding Company Limited-B recorded the steepest decline, shedding Rs333.90 to close at Rs17,612.00, while Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited lost Rs267.24 to settle at Rs2,405.12.

Among sectoral BR indices, the BR Cement Index advanced 59.54 points, or 0.50 percent, to 11,858.49 points with turnover of 71.89 million shares. The BR Commercial Banks Index increased by 168.72 points, or 0.29 percent, to 57,586.77 points, while the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index gained 92.86 points, or 0.33 percent, to close at 27,850.38 points.

The BR Oil and Gas Index added 28.85 points, or 0.19 percent, to settle at 14,959.40 points. However, some sectors remained under pressure. The BR Automobile Assembler Index declined by 132.52 points, or 0.48 percent, to close at 27,341.68 points, while the BR Tech and Communication Index slipped 5.88 points, or 0.15 percent, to finish at 3,860.74 points.

Market participants said investors remained focused on developments in international oil markets and regional geopolitical conditions. The recent decline in crude prices has improved sentiment by easing concerns regarding imported inflation and external account pressures.

Analysts believe that sustained stability in energy markets, coupled with improving macroeconomic indicators, could provide further support to equities in the near term, although investors are expected to remain cautious ahead of key domestic and international developments.