The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a significant upward trend on Friday as the benchmark KSE-100 Index continued its bullish run, closing at a higher level and boosting investor confidence.
Market Performance Highlights
The KSE-100 index recorded a substantial gain of 1,304.39 points, marking a positive change of 0.79 percent. The index closed at 166,677.70 points, up from the previous day's close of 165,373.31 points, according to official PSX data.
Trading activity saw a notable increase, with 592.74 million shares changing hands in the ready market. The total traded value reached Rs41.96 billion, a significant jump from the previous session's 498.36 million shares worth Rs30.59 billion.
Key Market Indicators and Top Performers
Market capitalisation expanded to Rs18.866 trillion from Rs18.744 trillion, reflecting increased investor wealth. Among 478 actively traded companies, 238 closed higher, 199 declined, and 41 remained unchanged.
Sui Southern Gas led the ready-market turnover with 39.18 million shares, followed by Bank of Punjab with 34.17 million shares and WorldCall Telecom with 32.86 million shares.
The top gainers were Service Industries Limited, which surged by Rs120.13 to close at Rs1,570.21, and Sazgar Engineering Works Limited, rising by Rs75.36 to settle at Rs1,776.95. On the losing side, PIA Holding Company Limited declined by Rs518.50 to close at Rs23,977.00, while Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited decreased by Rs300.00 to end at Rs29,100.00.
Futures Market and Currency Movement
The futures market also showed robust activity, with turnover rising to 824.59 million shares with a traded value of Rs40.30 billion. This compares favorably to the previous day's 595.96 million shares valued at Rs27.19 billion.
Out of 318 futures-market companies, 209 recorded gains, 107 declined, and 2 remained unchanged. The top volume contracts in the futures segment were WTL-Nov with 53.19 million shares, followed by WTL-Dec with 42.73 million shares, and KEL-Nov with 42.34 million shares.
In related financial news, the Pakistani rupee appreciated slightly, gaining 03 paisa against the US dollar.
