PSX closes positive, ending the day up nearly 760 points

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a notable boost in late trading on Monday, driven by better-than-expected financial results from Mari Petroleum, a key index component.

Throughout the session, the benchmark KSE-100 Index remained within a narrow range until Mari Petroleum’s results were announced around 2:00pm. This news triggered a sharp increase in the index.

By the close of trading, the KSE-100 had risen by 759.73 points, or 0.99 per cent, ending the day at 77,874.2. During the session, the index fluctuated within a range of 883.79 points, peaking at 77,969.26 and dipping to a low of 77,085.47.

Trading volume for the KSE-100 Index reached 192.85 million shares. Of the 100 companies listed on the index, 52 saw their share prices rise, 41 saw declines, and 7 remained unchanged.

Top performers included Mari Petroleum (MARI) with a 10 per cent increase, BNWM (up 9.99 per cent), OGDC (up 7.29 per cent), FFBL (up 7.08 per cent), and KOHC (up 5.47 per cent).

Conversely, the biggest decliners were YOUW (down 4.39 per cent), FFC (down 4.30 per cent), FHAM (down 4.22 per cent), PTC (down 2.47 per cent), and PKGP (down 2.34 per cent).

In terms of index-point contributions, Mari Petroleum led with a gain of 220.63 points, followed by OGDC (+193.17 points), PPL (+74.19 points), UBL (+55.00 points), and FFBL (+43.43 points). On the downside, FFC reduced the index by 168.54 points, with BAHL, ENGRO, PKGP, and COLG also contributing to the decline.

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index benefited from gains in Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (+488.11 points), Cement (+118.07 points), Commercial Banks (+93.00 points), Oil & Gas Marketing Companies (+56.35 points), and Power Generation & Distribution (+42.19 points).

However, the index faced pressure from declines in Fertilizer (-102.06 points), Textile Composite (-6.10 points), Pharmaceuticals (-5.97 points), Automobile Assembler (-5.64 points), and Property (-2.84 points).

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 49,969.98, up by 601.07 points or 1.22 per cent. Total market volume increased to 493.09 million shares from 447.53 million in the previous session, while traded value rose to Rs25.85 billion, up by Rs7.46 billion.

There were 260,656 trades across 434 companies, with 182 closing higher, 198 lower, and 54 unchanged.

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