KSE-100 Closes at 147,453, Down 151 Points Amid Futures Rollover Pressure
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a volatile trading session on Thursday as the benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 147,453 points, marking a decline of 151 points. The index moved within a wide range, hitting an intraday high of 148,042 and a low of 147,210 before settling lower.
Overall trading activity remained robust with 306.4 million shares changing hands, while the total traded value stood at PKR 21.4 billion.
Major Index Movers
Key negative contributors to the index included:
· HBL (-2.6%, -131 points)
· FFC (-0.9%, -115 points)
· BAHL (-2.2%, -110 points)
· FABL (-5.3%, -64 points)
· SYS (-1.3%, -57 points)
On the volumes board, the most actively traded stocks were:
· Pak Elektron Limited (PAEL) – 51.2 million shares
· K-Electric Limited (KEL) – 50 million shares
Sector-Wise Performance
· Banking sector showed a mixed performance, with some banks under profit-taking pressure while others managed to attract selective buying.
· Fertilizer and OMC stocks witnessed selling pressure as investors booked gains.
· E&P and Cement sectors attracted renewed buying interest due to strong valuations and expectations of better earnings ahead.
Market Drivers & Outlook
The ongoing futures rollover period was the primary factor behind the heightened volatility, as investors adjusted their positions. Despite intraday pressure, selective buying at lower levels provided much-needed support to the benchmark index.
Market experts believe this choppy trend is likely to persist in the short term. However, the broader outlook remains positive, supported by strong corporate earnings, attractive dividend yields, and sector-specific growth opportunities.
Investors are advised to maintain a long-term perspective and focus on fundamentally strong sectors, particularly:
· Exploration & Production (E&Ps)
· Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)
· Fertilizers
· Banking
These sectors continue to offer both dividend stability and sustainable growth potential.
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