KEY POINTS
- Benchmark index settles at 159,096.78 after losing 481.41 points
- Market data reflects renewed profit-taking across key sectors
- Brokerage houses cite lack of major triggers behind subdued mood
- Trading volumes improve, but value of shares declines
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) data showed another day of selling on Thursday as the benchmark KSE-100 Index fell nearly 500 points amid profit-taking and cautious investor sentiment.
According to official closing figures released by the PSX, the benchmark index settled at 159,096.78 points, marking a decrease of 481.41 points or 0.3 per cent compared to the previous day.
The exchange report reflected a broad-based decline that affected leading sectors, though selective buying helped limit losses toward the close.
The PSX summary further indicated that market participation improved, with overall volume on the all-share index rising to 957.30 million shares from 860.26 million a day earlier.
However, the value of traded shares fell to Rs30.45 billion from Rs34.85 billion. A total of 476 companies were traded, of which 199 recorded gains, 230 registered losses, and 47 remained unchanged.
Among key movers, United Bank Limited (UBL), Meezan Bank (MEBL), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Maple Leaf Cement (MLCF), and Engro Corporation (ENGROH) collectively erased 285 points from the index.
In contrast, Pakistan Services Limited (PSEL), Colgate-Palmolive (COLG), Hub Power Company (HUBC), Askari Bank (AKBL), and Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTC) provided limited recovery, adding 236 points to the benchmark.
Commenting on the session, Topline Securities stated that “the market remained lackluster today, with sentiment weighed down by the absence of any major news flow.”
It added that uncertainty and the lack of fresh triggers kept investors on the sidelines, resulting in range-bound activity.
Arif Habib Limited also attributed the subdued performance to short-term profit-taking after recent gains, noting that “investors chose to realise profits in key banking and energy scrips ahead of the weekend.”
In the regional context, Asian markets rebounded after Wednesday’s selloff, supported by stronger-than-expected US economic data.
MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan edged up 0.32 percent, Japan’s Nikkei rose 1.5 per cent, and South Korea’s Kospi climbed over 2 per cent.
The Pakistani rupee posted a mild gain in the inter-bank market, settling at 280.85 against the US dollar, appreciating by one paisa over the previous close.
Bank Makramah led trading volumes with 93.02 million shares, followed by Pak International Bulk Terminal (PIBTL) with 74.44 million, and K-Electric Ltd with 58.33 million.
