The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a highly volatile trading session on Thursday, with the KSE-100 Index moving within a range of 2,134.81 points as investors remained cautious amid geopolitical uncertainty.
The benchmark index initially climbed to an intraday high of 178,291.37, gaining 1,445.01 points. However, selling pressure later pushed the index down to an intraday low of 176,156.56, representing a decline of 689.80 points.
A total of 358.03 million shares were traded by KSE-100 companies. Of the 100 index constituents, 37 closed higher, 61 declined, and two remained unchanged.
CNERGY recorded the largest decline among index companies, falling 5.85%. ISL declined 4.40%, while FATIMA dropped 3.16%. SSGC and PABC also fell 2.91% and 2.90%, respectively.
On the positive side, PGLC posted the strongest gain, rising 9.98%. SAZEW advanced 7.29%, while MEHT, TRG, and SSOM gained 3.30%, 3.24%, and 3.03%, respectively.
Among major stocks, UBL was the biggest drag on the index, reducing it by 177.76 points. HUBC cut 86.43 points, while BAHL, HBL, and FATIMA contributed negative impacts of 69.63, 66.87, and 56.86 points, respectively.
OGDC provided the strongest support, adding 116.91 points. ENGROH contributed 108.69 points, while SAZEW, MEBL, and MARI added 95.67, 82.69, and 59.07 points, respectively.
At the sector level, commercial banks made the largest negative contribution, dragging the index down by 278.14 points.
Power generation and distribution companies reduced the index by 96.21 points, while fertilizer, cement, and refinery sectors contributed negative impacts of 90.26, 63.61, and 40.86 points, respectively.
Oil and gas exploration companies provided the strongest sectoral support, adding 223.06 points. Investment banks, investment companies, and securities companies contributed another 103.75 points.
Automobile assemblers added 47.95 points, while technology and communication companies contributed 34.97 points. Food and personal care products added another 11.72 points.
Investor sentiment remained cautious amid uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran conflict. Concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz also affected market sentiment as investors assessed the potential impact on regional energy supplies.
Oil prices remained firm during early Asian trading as markets continued to monitor developments in the conflict and the risk of further disruptions to energy shipments.
The All-Share Index closed at 107,122.44, losing 150.29 points, or 0.14%, during the session.
Overall market volume declined to 665.19 million shares from 787.89 million shares in the previous session. Traded value also decreased by Rs. 8.78 billion to Rs. 30.79 billion.
A total of 389,099 trades were recorded across 492 companies. Of these, 144 stocks closed higher, 312 declined, and 36 remained unchanged.
CNERGY dominated trading volume with 221.43 million shares, followed by FNEL with 25.12 million shares and GRR with 18.82 million shares.
KEL traded 18.48 million shares, while WTL recorded 18.35 million shares. PRL traded 15.77 million shares, followed by BLUEX with 13.31 million shares.
TRG recorded 12.65 million shares, HASCOLNC 12.48 million shares, and PPL 9.73 million shares.
Despite Thursday’s volatile session, the KSE-100 Index has lost 3,710 points, or 2.06%, during the current fiscal year. However, it remains up 2,537 points, or 1.46%, so far this calendar year.
