PSX struggles to stay green despite early rally

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened on a positive note on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, as investors initially showed renewed buying interest. The benchmark KSE-100 index started strong, gaining 252.83 points to reach 166,426.57 at around 9:34 AM when trading volume stood at more than 7.2 million shares.

However, the momentum did not last long. The index soon slipped into negative territory, dropping 931.77 points to 165,241.97 as selling pressure intensified and overall volumes rose to about 25.1 million shares. The market attempted a brief recovery later, but the sentiment remained cautious.

By 10:09 AM, the KSE-100 index was marginally up by 42.08 points at 166,215.82, showing a small rise of 0.03 percent.

So far during the session, the index has recorded a day’s high of 166,426.57 and a low of 165,241.97.

Market performance and historical range

In broader terms, the PSX remains strong compared to past performance. Over the last one year, the market has surged by 94.03 percent, while the year-to-date increase stands at 44.38 percent. This follows Tuesday’s closing level of 166,173.74.

On a 52-week basis, the KSE-100 index has traded between a low of 84,774.46 and a high of 169,988.62, reflecting the market’s massive recovery over the year.

Top gainers and losers

Among the top-performing shares in early trade were First Credit and Investment Bank Limited (FCSC), which rose by 21.41 percent to Rs5.67, and Trust Corporation Preference Shares (TCORPCPS), which climbed 12.38 percent to Rs8.99. Other notable advancers included Frontier Ceramics Limited (FECM) up 10.01 percent, First Treet Manufacturing (FTSM) up 10.01 percent, and Blessed Textiles (BECO) up 10 percent.

On the other hand, major decliners included Gem Blue X (GEMBLUEX), which dropped 10 percent to Rs58.88, followed by BILF down 7.33 percent to Rs37.15 and Quetta Textile Mills (QUET) slipping 6.29 percent to Rs15.05. CJPL and SSML also lost over 5 percent each in early trade.

Key movers among KSE-100 index stocks

Within the KSE-100 index, several blue-chip stocks also showed mixed movements. On the downside, Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Habib Bank (HBL), and Lucky Cement (LUCK) all traded slightly lower, contributing to intraday volatility.

Conversely, Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTC) rose 3.53 percent to Rs32.24, and Attock Petroleum Limited (APL) gained 3.72 percent to Rs565.00. Pakistan State Oil (PSEL) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) also traded higher, helping the index limit its losses.

Tuesday’s session recap

In Tuesday’s session, the benchmark KSE-100 Index had lost 1,578.66 points, closing at 166,173.74, marking a decline of 0.94 percent. The index traded in a wide range of 2,521.76 points, hitting an intraday high of 168,518.97 and a low of 165,997.21.

A total of 629.74 million shares changed hands, with 25 companies closing in positive territory, 74 declining, and one remaining unchanged. Top losers included SSOM, HUBC, PAEL, POL, and FHAM, while ABL, AKBL, HBL, AICL, and UPFL were among the top gainers.

In terms of index-point contribution, HUBC, ENGROH, LUCK, UBL, and MARI weighed the index down, while HBL, EFERT, AKBL, ABL, and BOP provided support.