KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a mixed trading session on Wednesday as investor confidence improved further due to easing tensions in the Middle East. Key indices recorded gains for a second straight day, while market activity stayed healthy.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index added 515 points, or 0.42 percent, to settle at at 122,761.64 points. The index touched an intraday high of 123,256.55 points, and witnessed a low of 122,168.76 before managing a stable close near its session peak.
BRIndex100 closed at 12,524.31, gaining 63.20 points or 0.51 percent with a total turnover of 583.07 million shares. On the other hand, BRIndex30 edged up by 103.65 points or 0.27 percent to close at 37,847.78. The total volume on BRIndex30 stood at 371.99 million shares.
Topline Securities noted that the KSE-100 index continued its upward trend, touching an intraday and this showed improving investor confidence. Top gainers driving the index higher included BAHL, HBL, FATIMA, DGKC, and NATF, together adding 372 points.
Market activity remained buoyant, with total turnover in the ready market clocking in at 749.79 million shares, slightly down from the previous session鈥檚 804.77 million. The ready market鈥檚 traded value stood at Rs 28.03 billion as compared to yesterday鈥檚 Rs 37.61 billion.
Market capitalization also improved in tandem with the KSE-100鈥檚 gain. The total market capitalization in the ready market increased from Rs 14.778 trillion on Tuesday to Rs 14.858 trillion by close of Wednesday鈥檚 session, reflecting an addition of around Rs 80 billion in market value. This steady increase signals revived investor confidence and incremental value creation within the equity market.
In terms of company performance, WorldCall Telecom once again led the volume chart, with over 102.38 million shares traded as its share closed at Rs 1.49. Pak Refinery followed with 47.11 million shares, closing at Rs 35.27, while Cnergyico PK saw a turnover of 39.57 million shares to close at Rs 7.25.
Among companies reflecting notable price increases, PIA Holding Company LimitedB surged by Rs 1,104.23 to close at Rs 12146.53, while Ismail Industries Limited climbed Rs 130 to settle at Rs 1930. In contrast, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited faced a sharp decline of Rs 163.93, ending at Rs 23457.50, and Sazgar Engineering Works Limited shed Rs 36.58 to close at Rs 1094.77.
Overall, out of 472 companies traded in the ready market, 274 closed higher, 161 ended lower, and 37 remained unchanged.
Despite mixed closing trends in select indices, the broader market sentiment stayed positive, supported by gains in heavyweight stocks and active participation from investors across multiple sectors.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 20,201.14, down by 118.97 points or 0.59 percent, with a total turnover of 2.75 million shares. The BR Cement Index finished at 10,552.32, gaining 101.46 points or 0.97 percent, on a turnover of 38.21 million shares. The BR Commercial Banks Index settled at 32,919.11, up by 355.95 points or 1.09 percent, with a trading volume of 84.41 million shares.
Meanwhile, the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index declined by 220.94 points or 1.07 percent to close at 20,351.26, recording a turnover of 12.03 million shares. The BR Oil and Gas Index shed 27.24 points or 0.23 percent to finish at 11,735.90, with a total volume of 37.09 million shares. Lastly, the BR Technology and Communication Index advanced by 16.12 points or 0.57 percent, closing at 2,822.87, on a turnover of 149.11 million shares.
Sheheryar Butt of Darson Securities stated that the rising global equities, ongoing discussions over the privatization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), a stronger rupee, and the government鈥檚 firm commitment to its circular debt management plan acted as key catalysts for the bullish trend at the PSX.
He noted that Investor sentiment also received a boost from a fresh $350 million financing agreement between Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aimed at promoting women鈥檚 financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.
Adding to the market鈥檚 positive mood, consumer confidence showed noticeable improvement. According to the latest edition of the Pakistan Consumer Confidence Index (CCI), jointly compiled by Dun & Bradstreet and Gallup Pakistan, sentiment rose 9.2 percent quarter-on-quarter and 24.6 percent year-on-year.
Meanwhile, in international markets, global oil prices fell sharply, easing inflation concerns which also sent positive signals to the market.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025