KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a strong bullish session on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index jumping 2,849 points (1.72%) to close at 168,489.63, driven by robust activity in banking, energy, and refinery stocks.
The day’s rally also lifted the KSE-30 Index by 986 points (1.93%) to settle at 52,023.56, while the All-Share Index gained 1,640 points (1.62%) to finish at 102,646.76. Market capitalization swelled by more than Rs 300 billion, reaching Rs 19.65 trillion, reflecting renewed investor confidence.
Turnover in the ready market stood at 1.57 billion shares, with a traded value of over Rs 70 billion. Bank of Punjab topped the volumes chart with 148 million shares, closing at Rs 32.78, followed by WorldCall Telecom (134 million shares), and K-Electric (116 million shares). Other heavily traded stocks included Pakistan International Bulk Terminal, Hascol Petroleum, and Pak Elektron.
On the futures counter, activity also remained robust, with 293 million contracts traded. BOP (Oct) led futures trading with 44 million shares, closing at Rs 33.15.
Among the day’s biggest gainers, Unilever Pakistan Foods surged by Rs 699.33 to close at Rs 31,964.33, while Supernet Technologies jumped Rs 62.08 to Rs 1,556.41. On the losing side, PIA Holding Company ‘B’ shares plunged Rs 573.97 to Rs 25,026.03, while Rafhan Maize fell Rs 111.26 to Rs 9,898.70.
The banking and energy sectors remained the highlight of the session, as investors bet on strong quarterly results and potential policy support measures. Analysts noted that the 5.49% surge in the Banking Index (BKTI) was a key driver of Thursday’s rally.
Out of 489 companies traded, 239 closed higher, 227 declined, and 23 remained unchanged.
Market watchers said the positive momentum was also underpinned by expectations of policy continuity, improved macroeconomic signals, and rising investor appetite for value stocks.
