KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed another strong recovery on Thursday amid investor confidence. The benchmark KSE-100 index increased by 5,433 points on institutional buying.
The benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 5,433.46 points or 3.49 per cent to 161,210.68 points from 155,777.21 points recorded in the last session. The highest index of the day remained at 161,476.85 points, while the lowest was 156,250.29 points.
Ali Najib, deputy head of trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the PSX witnessed a sharp rebound. The recovery was driven by broad-based buying across major sectors, signalling an improvement in investor sentiment following recent volatility.
Strong institutional interest was observed in oil and gas exploration, oil marketing companies, power generation, cement, automobile, refinery and banking sectors, with several index-heavy stocks trading firmly in positive territory.
Major contributors to the index performance included HUBC, OGDC, FFC, ENGROH, MEBL, PPL, HBL, PSO, MARI, and SYS, which collectively added 3,334 points to the benchmark. “As the market heads into the final trading session of the week, it will be interesting to observe whether this positive momentum sustains or if investors adopt a cautious stance following the recent recovery,” said Ali Najib.
The KSE-30 index increased by 1,890.99 points, or 3.95 per cent, to 49,781.74 points from 47,890.76 points. Traded shares rose by 101 million shares to 723.879 million shares from 622.692 million shares. The trading value increased to Rs35.179 billion from Rs29.95 billion. Market capitalisation expanded to Rs18.102 trillion against Rs17.522 trillion. Of the 478 companies active in the session, 350 closed in green, 78 in red and 50 remained unchanged.
The highest increase was recorded in Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which rose by Rs399 to Rs25,694 per share, followed by Sazgar Engineering Works Limited, which increased by Rs82.71 to Rs2,156.42 per share. A significant decline was noted in PIA Holding Company Limited B, which fell by Rs795.5 to Rs16,893.5 per share. Hoechst Pakistan Limited followed it, which closed lower by Rs118.76 to Rs4,000.88 per share.
According to Topline Sales Desk, the bulls stormed back with authority in the trading session. Strong institutional buying turned the tide after the market’s recent overreaction to regional issues, as confidence swiftly replaced caution.
Index-heavy constituents -- including HUBC, OGDC, FFC, ENGROH and MEBL -- led the charge, collectively contributing 2,197 points to the benchmark’s gain and reinforcing the bullish undertone.K-Electric Ltd remained the volume leader with 115.631 million shares, which closed higher by 61 paisas to Rs8.05 per share. Trust Sec & Bro (R) with 50.032 million shares, followed it, which closed lower by 4 paisas to Rs0.18 per share.
Other significant turnover stocks included Unity Foods Ltd, Cnergyico PK, WorldCall Telecom, BO Punjab, Hascol Petrol, F Nat Equities, Nishat ChunPower and Pak Petroleum XD.In the futures market, 316 companies recorded trading, with 295 increasing, 20 decreasing, and one remaining unchanged.
