Karachi, March 21, 2025 – After a series of record-breaking sessions, investors at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opted for profit-taking on Friday, bringing a temporary halt to the market’s bullish momentum. Following an extended rally, market participants decided to book gains, resulting in a slight downturn.
The benchmark KSE-100 index of PSX closed at 118,442 points, marking a decline of 328 points from the previous day’s record high of 118,770 points. Despite the dip, the PSX remains at historic levels, reflecting strong investor confidence and resilience in the stock market.
The PSX had sustained record-high levels over the past few sessions; however, profit-taking emerged as investors locked in gains ahead of the weekend. Analysts at Topline Securities Limited noted that the market experienced range-bound activity, fluctuating between an intraday high of +636 points and an intraday low of -435 points before settling with a modest decline of 0.28%.
Key contributors to the market’s positive momentum included stocks like SYS, NML, ILP, MTL, and SNGP, which collectively added 222 points to the index. However, losses in major stocks such as FFC, HUBC, LUCK, MARI, and UBL dragged the index down by 344 points, leading to the overall decline.
In terms of trading activity, MARI led in traded value with Rs.2.57 billion worth of shares exchanged, followed by PSO (Rs.2.01 billion), SNGP (Rs.936 million), OGDC (Rs.726 million), and ATRL (Rs.631 million). The total traded volume for the day stood at 368 million shares, with a total traded value of PKR 23.2 billion (approximately $84 million).
Despite the minor setback, analysts remain optimistic about the future trajectory of PSX, citing strong economic indicators and positive market sentiment. Investors continue to show confidence in the stock market, and with corporate earnings season approaching, the PSX is expected to maintain its strong performance in the coming sessions.
As the PSX remains a focal point for both local and foreign investors, market participants will closely monitor upcoming economic developments and global trends that could influence market direction. The short-term correction observed today is considered a healthy adjustment within the broader bullish trend at the PSX.