The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange closed on a strong note on Friday, gaining 2,679.44 points, or 1.52 percent. The index settled at a fresh all-time high of 179,034.93 points, up from 176,355.49 points a day earlier.
Trading activity remained solid in the ready market, where 1,113.099 million shares were traded with a total value of Rs64.340 billion. In the previous session, 1,402.650 million shares worth Rs48.424 billion were traded.
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Market capitalization rose to Rs20.213 trillion from Rs19.968 trillion, reflecting growing investor confidence. Out of 484 active companies, 253 closed higher, 201 declined, while 30 ended unchanged.
Bank of Punjab led the volume chart with trading of 102.546 million shares. It was followed by K-Electric Limited with 100.905 million shares and Media Times Limited with 43.632 million shares.
Among top gainers, PIA Holding Company LimitedB surged by Rs2,149.46 to close at Rs23,644.10. Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited also gained Rs149.94 and ended at Rs28,999.99.
On the downside, Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited fell by Rs80.86 to close at Rs10,013.47. Sunrays Textile Mills Limited declined by Rs14.53 and closed at Rs143.71.
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In the futures market, turnover stood at 212.329 million shares with a traded value of Rs13.606 billion. This compared with 307.047 million shares worth Rs12.024 billion in the previous session.
Out of 313 futures-market companies, 188 recorded gains, 121 declined, and four remained unchanged. BOP-JAN led futures trading with 43.333 million shares, followed by KEL-JAN and PIBTL-JAN.
Strong buying pushed the market to a new peak. Banking and energy stocks attracted heavy interest. Higher market value shows rising confidence. Investors remain optimistic in the short term.
