Karachi, February 13, 2025 — The benchmark KSE-100 index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a decline of 361 points on Thursday, marking a day of range-bound trading activity.
The KSE-100 index concluded the session at 112,564 points, down from the previous day’s closing level of 112,925 points. The day’s performance reflected cautious market sentiment, with the KSE-100 index fluctuating within a defined range. During the session, the benchmark index saw an intraday high of 553 points and a low of 385 points before settling with a net loss of 361 points, equivalent to a 0.32% decrease.
Analysts from Topline Securities Limited attributed the decline to mixed investor sentiment. While the financial results of Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL) aligned with market expectations, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) reported earnings that fell short of industry forecasts, primarily due to weaker-than-expected gross margins.
The upward momentum during the session was primarily driven by key stocks like Lucky Cement (LUCK), MCB Bank Limited (MCB), Bank AlFalah Limited (BAFL), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), and MEBL. Collectively, these five companies contributed 184 points to the KSE-100 index. Conversely, significant downward pressure came from Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Engro Corporation Limited (ENGRO), and PSO, which together shaved off 254 points from the benchmark index.
Despite the negative close of the KSE-100 index, overall market activity remained robust. The daily trading volume increased significantly, with a total of 596 million shares changing hands. The total market turnover reached Rs 30 billion, indicating strong participation from market participants. The Bank of Punjab (BOP) emerged as the volume leader, with 79 million shares traded during the day.
Looking ahead, analysts suggest that the KSE-100 index may continue to witness similar range-bound movements in the near term, driven by corporate earnings results and macroeconomic indicators. The market’s trajectory will likely hinge on developments related to global oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations, and domestic economic policies. The performance of the KSE-100 index will remain a key barometer of investor confidence and economic outlook in Pakistan’s equity markets.