The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed in the red on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index losing 365 points, or 0.79 per cent, to close at 45,634 points.

The index crossed the 46,000 points mark early in the session to touch 46,213 but lost ground to hit a low of 45,572 towards the day's close.

"Pakistan equities dropped again on Thursday after seeing volatile trading and dull volumes as domestic politics remained a dampener," said Elixir Securities.

"Market opened in the green and the benchmark KSE-100 Index traded in the positive territory until midday, followed by stocks plummeting amidst thin activity. Investors, mainly locals, traded selectively amidst anxiety over the political front." it added.

Nearly 74.5 million shares worth Rs6.57 billion were traded in the day. Shares of a total of 362 companies were traded in the session, of which 84 gained in value, 255 declined and 23 remained unchanged.

Commercial banks dominated the day's trading with 21.2 million shares traded while engineering and oil and gas companies followed with 17.4m and 15.4m shares traded respectively.

Volumes were led by:

  1. Azgard Nine: 10.98m shares traded (-0.94pc)

  2. Aisha Steel Mill: 9.59m shares traded (-2.60pc)

  3. B.O.Punjab: 9.50m shares traded (-0.27pc)

  4. Pak Elektron: 9.16m shares traded (-3.91pc)

  5. Pak Refinery: 8.60m shares traded (+2.72pc)

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...