PSX Closing Bell: The Climb

April 04, 2025 (MLN): The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Friday's trading session at 118,791.66, showing a decrease of 146.45 points or 0.12%.

The index traded in a range of 2,078.41 points, marking all time high of 120,796.67 (+1,858.56) mainly on the back of the government’s decision to slash electricity prices, cooling inflation, and growing optimism around the IMF program — factors that together have painted a much-improved macro picture.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced a massive cut in power tariffs, reducing electricity prices by up to Rs7.69 per unit, pledging even more relief through structural reforms in the power sector.

At a ceremony unveiling the package, he highlighted that the average per-unit cost for domestic consumers had been slashed by Rs7.15 and for the industrial sector by Rs7.69 — a move expected to ease the cost burden across the economy.

Business leaders have welcomed the decision with open arms. “This will release financial pressure on consumers struggling with their electricity bills,” said representatives from the business community, echoing a sigh of relief.

M. Abdul Aleem, Secretary General of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), remarked, “This is a good move despite rigid IMF conditionalities and limited fiscal space available to the government.”

The total volume of the KSE-100 Index was 313.38 million shares.

Of the 100 index companies 34 closed up, 65 closed down, while 1 was unchanged.

Top losers during the day were SRVI (-5.42%), KTML (-3.83%), SNGP (-3.83%), MEHT (-3.77%), and POL (-3.56%).

On the other hand, top gainers were UBL (+8.46%), EFUG (+3.86%), PTC (+3.66%), PAKT (+3.59%), and NBP (+3.48%).

In terms of index-point contributions, companies that dragged the index lower were ENGROH (-195.87pts), OGDC (-167.88pts), HUBC (-146.91pts), MARI (-138.48pts), and PPL (-129.27pts).

Meanwhile, companies that added points to the index were UBL (+605.56pts), MEBL (+130.93pts), MCB (+114.08pts), HBL (+87.64pts), and BAHL (+81.39pts).

Sector-wise, KSE-100 Index was let down by Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (-521.97pts), Inv. Banks / Inv. Cos. / Securities Cos. (-197.45pts), Power Generation & Distribution (-154.50pts), Oil & Gas Marketing Companies (-131.33pts), and Cement (-69.94pts).

While the index was supported by Commercial Banks (+1086.56pts), Fertilizer (+50.46pts), Tobacco (+19.63pts), Insurance (+5.64pts), and Refinery (+5.43pts).

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 73,871.48 with a net loss of 77.61 points or 0.10%.

Total market volume was 553.62 million shares compared to 422.70m from the previous session while traded value was recorded at Rs35.49 billion showing an increase of Rs7.28bn.

There were 320,785 trades reported in 457 companies with 151 closing up, 258 closing down, and 48 remaining unchanged.

To note, the KSE-100 has gained 40,347 points or 51.43% during the fiscal year, whereas it has increased 3,665 points or 3.18% so far this calendar year.

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