Key Points
- KSE-100 falls 834.01 points (0.51%) to 162,102.92 on profit-taking and mixed investor appetite
- Trading activity remained brisk with volume of 254,631,887 shares and notable intraday range
- YTD gain still strong at 40.80% and 1-year return at 66.55% despite today’s pullback
- Investors watch regional political cues and macro data for direction ahead
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 index gave up early gains on Friday and closed lower as investors booked profits after a sustained rally this year, leaving the market to contend with a wider intraday swing and elevated turnover.
The KSE-100 ended at 162,102.92, down 834.01 points, or 0.51%, from Thursday’s close of 162,936.93. The session high was 163,357.51 and the low 161,853.58, reflecting a wide intra-day band as participants recalibrated positions. Total traded volume reached 254,631,887 shares.
Despite the retreat, the market’s broader performance remains strong: the index is up 40.80% year-to-date and has recorded a 66.55% advance over the past 12 months. The 52-week range runs from 94,180.60 to 169,988.62, underscoring the scale of the rally that preceded today’s correction.
Market participants described the session as profit-taking in large-caps after recent gains, with selective flows into defensive stocks cushioning some of the decline. Liquidity stayed elevated, indicating active repositioning by both institutional and retail investors.
Looking ahead, traders said near-term direction will hinge on regional political developments and global market cues, with investors likely to watch forthcoming macro data and corporate news for fresh triggers.
