KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued with the positive trend despite witnessing some volatility and mixed sentiment on Wednesday. The benchmark KSE-100 index closed higher by 931 points amid improved geopolitical conditions.
The KSE-100 increased by 931.34 points or 0.5 per cent to 187,832.08 points from 186,900.74 points recorded in the last session. The highest index of the day remained at 188,312.21 points, while the lowest level was recorded at 187,018.69 points.
Ali Najib, deputy head of trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the PSX maintained its upward trajectory. Despite the positive close, sentiment remained mixed intraday, as the benchmark oscillated between gains and losses before settling higher.
“The KSE-100 index crossed 187,000 today, with momentum expected to extend toward the 191,000 level. Improving macros and stronger corporate earnings support the outlook, barring geopolitical risks,” he said.
The KSE-30 index increased by 247.84 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 57,539.97 points from 57,292.13 points.Traded shares rose by 347 million shares to 1,195.264 million shares from 848.559 million shares. The trading value decreased to Rs44.101 billion from Rs50.025 billion. Market capitalisation expanded to Rs21.278 trillion against Rs21.149 trillion. Of the 483 companies active in the session, 246 closed in green, 188 in red, and 49 remained unchanged.
The highest increase was recorded in Nestle Pakistan Limited, which rose by Rs75.39 to Rs7,906.13 per share, followed by Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which increased by Rs68.36 to Rs27,208.17 per share. A significant decline was noted in Blessed Textiles Limited, which fell by Rs67.48 to Rs607.29 per share. Sazgar Engineering Works Limited followed it, which closed lower by Rs30.58 to Rs2,271.47 per share.
Naveed Nadeem, senior equity trader at Topline Securities, said the KSE-100 index concluded the session on a positive note. However, market activity remained volatile throughout the day.Performance was primarily supported by gains in key index heavyweights, including MEBL, ENGROH, NBP, UBL, and HMB, which collectively added 740 points to the benchmark. However, these advances were partially offset by losses in SYS, EFERT, and PPL, which together detracted 149 points.
K-Electric Ltd remained the volume leader with 590.867 million shares, which closed higher by 96 paisas to Rs8.31 per share. Waves Home App with 36.307 million shares, followed it, which closed higher by 88 paisas to Rs12.04 per share.
Other significant turnover stocks included F Nat Equities, BO Punjab, Waves Corp Ltd, Hascol Petrol, Ghani Chemworld, National Bank XD, LSE Ventures Ltd and WorldCall Telecom. In the futures market, 322 companies recorded trading, with 171 increasing, 145 decreasing and 6 remaining unchanged.
