KARACHI: Investor sentiments on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained choppy on Thursday ahead of the long weekend due to the Independence Day holiday, resulting in the benchmark index closing in the red amid late profit-taking.
Topline Securities Ltd said the index largely traded in the positive zone during the session, attributable to a decline in crude oil prices. However, sceptical investors came in to sell in the latter hours of trade before the long weekend, as the index settled at 180,104.61, down 206.60 points or 0.11 per cent.
The top positive contributors to the index were Fauji Fertiliser, Service Industries, Habib Bank, and Pakistan Petroleum, which together added 236 points. However, the top negative contributions came from Engro Holdings, Systems Ltd, Meezan Bank, Habib Metropolitan Bank, and Pakistan Oilfield, which together weighed the index down by 286 points.
Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the market recorded a negative session, with early gains erased in the latter half as investors squared off positions ahead of the long weekend, resulting in a marginally negative close.
On the corporate front, Pakistan Refinery Ltd reported a FY26 net profit of Rs16.1bn, translating into earnings per share of Rs25.05. The company did not announce any cash dividend.
On the macro front, Pakistan’s FY26 budget deficit narrowed to Rs3,313bn (2.6pc of GDP), the lowest since FY18. FBR revenue increased 11pc year-on-year to Rs13,010bn, while the primary surplus stood at Rs3,364bn for the third consecutive year. Interest payments declined 22pc year-on-year to Rs6,948bn.
Investor participation improved as trading volume rose 19.76pc to 891 million shares and total turnover increased 13.97pc to Rs36.6bn. Cnergyico PK led the volume chart with 247m shares.
Analysts expect the market to remain range-bound as investors consolidate recent gains ahead of fresh catalysts. Strong fiscal consolidation and corporate earnings remain supportive, while profit-taking and global and geopolitical developments could keep near-term sentiment cautious.
Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2026
