Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed higher on Thursday as the benchmark KSE-100 index gained slightly over 460 points to settle near 152,670, its record high and the fifth straight positive session.
The index touched the intra-day high of 153,411, where cement, fertiliser and technology stocks drove the rally. Major gainers included Fauji Fertiliser Company (FFC, +1.13%), Lucky Cement (+2.2%) and Systems Ltd (+2.08%) while Bank AL Habib (-2.29%), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC, -0.99%) and HBL (-1.09%) capped gains.
Overall participation remained strong, with around 954 million shares traded, compared to 1.04 billion in the previous session, and a traded value of Rs46.05 billion. Market sentiment stayed bullish and dips were seen as buying opportunities.
"Stocks closed at a new all-time high as investors weighed the upbeat economic data on fertiliser, oil and cement sales for Aug'25," said Ahsan Mehanti, Director of Arif Habib Corp. Govt deliberations to resolve the power-sector circular debt crisis, rupee stability and upbeat cotton production data drove the bullish close at the PSX, he said. At the end of trading, the benchmark KSE-100 index posted a rise of 463.85 points, or 0.30%, and settled at 152,665.72.
Arif Habib Limited (AHL) wrote in its report that the KSE-100 recorded its fifth consecutive positive close after hitting the intra-day high of 153,411 points. Market breadth was mixed with 52 shares rising and 48 declining. Major contributors to the index gains included FFC (+1.13%), Lucky Cement (+2.2%) and Systems Ltd (+2.08%) while Bank AL Habib (-2.29%), OGDC (-0.99%) and HBL (-1.09%) dragged the index lower.
AHL pointed out that TPL Insurance (-4.72%) came under pressure after Veon Group Holdings expressed interest in potentially acquiring shares and taking control of the company. In the fertiliser sector, provisional data for August showed a robust 46% year-on-year (YoY) surge in urea sales to 817,000 tons. Company-wise, Engro Fertilisers' sales jumped 71%, FFC's sales rose 29% and Fatima Group recorded an increase of 32%.
Overall, the KSE-100 stands 2.72% higher week-on-week while heading into the final trading session, AHL said.
Mubashir Anis Naviwala of JS Global said that the KSE-100 crossed 153,400 intra-day, before closing at 152,666, higher by 464 points. Trading activity remained robust, reflecting strong investor participation. Cement, fertiliser and technology sectors were at the forefront of the rally, driving gains across the board. Overall, market sentiment remains firmly bullish, with dips offering attractive entry opportunities, he said.
Trading volumes were recorded at 954.3 million shares compared with the previous session's tally of 1.04 billion. The value of shares traded was Rs46.05 billion.
Shares of 480 companies were traded. Of these, 208 stocks closed higher, 240 fell and 32 remained unchanged.
The Bank of Punjab was the volume leader with trading in 99.5 million shares, gaining Rs0.99 to close at Rs18.36. It was followed by K-Electric with 45.3 million shares, gaining Rs0.08 to close at Rs5.34 and Pakistan International Bulk Terminal with 38.6 million shares, gaining Rs0.53 to close at Rs13.44. Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs291.4 million, the National Clearing Company reported.
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