PSX Closing Bell: Wins by a Nose

The index traded in a range of 902.91 points, hitting an intraday high of 175,418.29, up 488.61 points, while the low stood at 174,515.38, down 414.30 points.

The total volume of the KSE-100 Index stood at 259.37 million shares.

The upward momentum was supported by renewed buying interest in key index-heavy stocks, particularly across the banking, exploration and cement sectors. Investors also appeared to take fresh positions in selected stocks after the market’s recent weakness, helping the index close in positive territory despite pressure from refinery and fertilizer stocks.

Of the 100 index companies, 56 closed up, 41 closed down, while 3 remained unchanged.

Top gainers during the day were THALL (+3.40%), MLCF (+2.42%), AKBL (+2.42%), AICL (+2.23%), and HALEON (+2.09%).

On the other hand, top losers were PGLC (-4.34%), PSEL (-3.83%), CNERGY (-3.73%), ATRL (-3.44%), and ISL (-2.40%).

In terms of index-point contributions, companies that propped up the index were MEBL (+71.15pts), BAHL (+47.56pts), MARI (+46.04pts), PPL (+44.84pts), and OGDC (+40.70pts).

Meanwhile, companies that dragged the index lower were UBL (-73.93pts), ATRL (-59.62pts), PSEL (-36.02pts), CNERGY (-26.28pts), and FFC (-15.99pts).

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was supported by Commercial Banks (+150.30pts), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (+125.32pts), Cement (+103.23pts), Leather & Tanneries (+32.39pts), and Oil & Gas Marketing Companies (+27.92pts).

While the index was let down by Refinery (-85.90pts), Miscellaneous (-37.77pts), Fertilizer (-21.66pts), Engineering (-14.15pts), and Cable & Electrical Goods (-9.00pts).

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 106,442.83 with a net gain of 236.26 points or 0.22%.

Total market volume rose to 874.32 million shares compared to 627.45m in the previous session, while traded value was recorded at Rs32.42bn, showing an increase of Rs7.23bn.

There were 388,598 trades reported in 496 companies, with 235 closing up, 218 closing down, and 43 remaining unchanged.