January 31, 2025 (MLN): The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a positive trading session on Friday, January 31, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing at 114,255.72 points. This represented an increase of 1,049.32 points or 0.93%, marking a strong day for the market.
The KSE-100 Index displayed a consistently upward trend throughout the trading session, peaking at an intraday high of 115,106.99 points, a gain of 1,900.59 points. The index also experienced a low of 113,692.87 points, reflecting a rise of 486.47 points from the previous close. Total trading volume for the day reached 250.68 million shares, a solid indicator of market activity.
Out of the 100 index companies, 61 closed in the green, 37 saw losses, while two companies remained unchanged. This broad market participation reflected a positive investor sentiment, particularly driven by strong performances in key sectors.
Top gainers of the day included notable stocks such as National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), which saw a 10.00% increase, followed by POML (+9.79%), PGLC (+8.58%), AKBL (+8.21%), and Lucky Cement (LUCK), which saw a 6.03% jump. On the flip side, the top losers included MEHT (-4.18%), UNITY (-2.82%), YOUW (-2.02%), PAEL (-1.92%), and TRG (-1.89%).
In terms of individual contributions to the KSE-100 Index, UBL (United Bank Limited) led the charge, contributing a substantial 294.45 points to the index’s overall gains. Other companies that bolstered the index included LUCK (+191.25 points), NBP (+106.34 points), BAHL (+83.73 points), and MEBL (+47.27 points). Conversely, the index was slightly dampened by declines from MARI (-74.34 points), ENGROH (-34.35 points), FFC (-25.19 points), MEHT (-20.52 points), and SNGP (-14.71 points).
Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index received considerable support from the Commercial Banks sector, which contributed +704.18 points, followed by the Cement sector (+266.41 points). The Automobile Assembler (+77.22 points), Technology & Communication (+47.54 points), and Automobile Parts & Accessories (+29.18 points) sectors also made positive contributions to the index’s performance.
On the other hand, sectors that weighed down the index included Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (-45.69 points), Investment Banks / Investment Companies / Securities Companies (-32.32 points), Fertilizers (-32.14 points), Oil & Gas Marketing Companies (-18.65 points), and Cable & Electrical Goods (-10.82 points).
Looking at the broader market, the All-Share Index also experienced an uptick, closing at 70,604.11 points, reflecting a net gain of 491.99 points or 0.70%. Total market volume amounted to 543.12 million shares, up from 483.94 million in the previous session. The total traded value for the day reached Rs 27.97 billion, marking an increase of Rs 1.87 billion compared to the last session.
In terms of individual stock performances, CNERGY topped the volume chart with 66.68 million shares traded, followed by WTL (37.80 million), BML (18.55 million), and BOP (17.87 million). SSGC, PRL, KEL, TBL, CPHL, and FFL also saw significant trading volumes during the session.
As for the overall market performance, the KSE-100 Index has gained 35,811 points or 45.65% during the ongoing fiscal year, while it has faced a slight dip of 871 points or 0.76% so far in the current calendar year.
In conclusion, today’s trading session was marked by a strong performance in the banking and cement sectors, reflecting positive market sentiment. With several high-volume stocks making notable contributions, the PSX remains a focal point for investors looking for opportunities in Pakistan’s evolving financial landscape. The overall market outlook remains cautiously optimistic, though some volatility is expected as the calendar year progresses.