PSX surges over 1,400 points in early trade

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened on a positive note on Thursday, October 9, 2025, as investors returned to buying after a volatile session the previous day. The benchmark KSE-100 Index showed strong upward momentum in early trade, gaining more than a thousand points soon after the opening bell.

At around 9:35 AM, the index was up by 1,114 points, reaching 166,380.89 with a trading volume of nearly 39 million shares. The market extended its gains by 9:45 AM, rising further to 166,653.47 points, an increase of 1,386 points, with volume swelling to more than 73 million shares. By 9:56 AM, the rally continued, with the index climbing 1,463 points to 166,729.97 on a volume of over 105 million shares.

However, some volatility was observed later in the session as traders began to book early profits. Around 10:24 AM, the index was up by 716 points at 165,982.96, showing a gain of about 0.43 percent. So far, the market’s high for the day stood at 166,729.97, while the lowest point recorded was 165,526.93.

Market range and performance overview

The KSE-100 Index has shown a remarkable performance over the past year, gaining 93.75 percent on a year-on-year basis, while its year-to-date growth stands at 44.17 percent. For Thursday’s session so far, the day’s trading range has remained between 165,526.93 and 166,729.97 points.

In the broader 52-week view, the benchmark index’s lowest level has been 84,774.46, while the highest recorded point is 169,988.62. This sustained growth reflects improving investor confidence driven by ongoing economic reforms, though occasional corrections are expected as investors book profits at high valuations.

Top gainers and decliners

Among the top-performing stocks of the day, several shares hit their upper price limits early in the session. Leading the advancers were Burshane LPG (BRRG), Beco Steel (BECO), and Ghandhara Resources (GRYL), each rising by around 10 percent. Dewan Mushtaq Company (DMC), Gillette Pakistan (GLPL), and Premier Sugar Mills (PSEL) also gained 10 percent, while Sitara Energy (SEL), Associated Services Company (ASC), Pakgen Insurance (PKGI), and Trust Securities (TRSM) rounded off the top gainers list with strong upward momentum.

On the other hand, Kohinoor Power (KOHP) was the biggest decliner, falling 10 percent. GEM Blue (GEMBLUEX) and TPL Limited (TPLL) followed with losses of around 9.7 percent each. Kohinoor Chemical (KCL), Pak Modular Solutions (PMRS), and Tariq Steel (TSML) also saw sharp declines, losing between 8 and 9 percent. Other laggards included Pakistan Industrial Leasing (PIL), National Cement (NCML), Rupali Polyester (RUPL), and Aisha Steel (ASLPS), all recording losses of more than 6 percent.

Index movers in green and red

Within the KSE-100 Index, several heavyweight stocks were trading in the red during the morning session. K-Electric (KEL) slipped by 2.49 percent to Rs7.05, while International Steels (ISL) and Pakistan General Insurance (PKGP) dropped by around 2 percent each. Other notable decliners included Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTC), Allied Bank (BAFL), and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), which were down modestly by less than 2 percent.

Meanwhile, some of the major stocks contributing positively included Premier Sugar Mills (PSEL), which surged 10 percent to Rs1,019.94, and The Searle Company (SEARL), which jumped 5.8 percent to Rs106.85. Systems Limited (SYS) gained nearly 1 percent to Rs165.35, while Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Lucky Cement (LUCK) both advanced around 2 percent. Engro Holdings (ENGROH), Ghani Global Holdings (GHNI), and MCB Bank (MCB) were also among the notable gainers, reflecting continued investor interest in blue-chip shares.

Previous session recap

The market’s positive start today follows a weak performance on Wednesday, October 8, when the PSX closed at 165,266.74 after a loss of 907 points or 0.55 percent. The index had traded within a wide range of 1,837 points during that session, touching an intraday high of 166,947.19 and a low of 165,109.84. Out of the 100 index companies, 33 had closed higher, while 67 ended in the red.

Top losers in the previous session included Service Industries (SSOM), Bank of Punjab (BOP), Pioneer Cement (PIOC), Fauji Cement (FCCL), and United Bank (UBL), all declining between 3 and 6 percent. Meanwhile, top gainers were Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTC), Systems Limited (SYS), Bank Alfalah (BAFL), Ghani Holdings (GHNI), and K-Electric (KEL), all showing strong recoveries.

Companies that pulled the index lower included UBL, FFC, Lucky Cement, Mari Petroleum, and Bank of Punjab, while positive contributions came from Systems Limited, Bank Alfalah, MCB Bank, Pakistan State Oil, and PTC.

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