KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended lower on Friday after a volatile trading session, as persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, elevated international oil prices and higher global borrowing costs continued to dampen investor sentiment, prompting cautious trading and selective profit-taking across key sectors.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index shed 718.25 points, or 0.42 percent, to close at 171,021.20 points compared with the previous close of 171,739.45 points. The market witnessed sharp intraday swings, with the benchmark touching a high of 172,718.67 points before falling to an intraday low of 169,512.88 points, reflecting uncertainty among investors amid evolving global developments.
The BRIndex100 closed at 18,716.85 points, down 71.58 points, or 0.38 percent, on a turnover of 490.28 million shares, while the BRIndex30 declined by 369.52 points, or 0.54 percent, to settle at 67,530.25 points with total trading volume of 285.99 million shares.
Commenting on the day’s trading, Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, said the market remained range-bound as investors adopted a defensive approach in response to geopolitical uncertainties.
“The market opened on a weak note as persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Concerns over the ongoing conflict kept international oil prices and global borrowing costs elevated, prompting investors to maintain a cautious, risk-off stance,” he said.
Najib noted that the benchmark index remained highly volatile throughout the session. On the positive side, Adamjee Insurance Company Limited (AICL), TRG Pakistan, Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL), Engro Holdings (ENGROH) and Fauji Cement Company Limited (FCCL) collectively contributed 117 points to the benchmark index. However, losses in United Bank Limited (UBL), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Systems Limited (SYS), Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC) more than offset these gains, jointly dragging the KSE-100 Index down by 436 points amid selective selling pressure.
Despite the decline in prices, overall trading activity improved during the session. Ready market volume increased to 579.94 million shares from 525.12 million shares in the previous session, while traded value slightly rose to Rs23.90 billion compared with Rs23.43 billion a day earlier. However, market capitalization contracted by Rs82.24 billion to Rs19.28 trillion from Rs19.36 trillion, reflecting the decline in share prices.
Market breadth remained firmly negative. In the ready market, 186 companies closed higher, while 270 declined and 36 remained unchanged out of 492 traded companies.
Trading activity remained concentrated in a handful of stocks. Cnergyico PK retained its position as the volume leader after 59.33 million shares changed hands. The stock opened at Rs10.11, traded between Rs10.05 and Rs10.59, and closed at Rs10.29, up from Rs10.10 previously.
Trust Brokerage ranked second with a turnover of 36.98 million shares and closed unchanged at Rs2.24. Kohinoor Spinning Mills followed with 32.63 million shares traded, gaining to close at Rs6.05 from Rs5.54.
Among the day’s top gainers, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) surged by Rs716 to close at Rs17,668 per share, while Siemens (Pakistan) Engineering advanced Rs61.22 to settle at Rs1,534.77. On the losing side, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited declined by Rs237 to close at Rs25,011 per share, while Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited dropped Rs122.79 to Rs1,105.08.
Among sectoral Business Recorder indices, the BR Technology and Communication Index fell by 26.48 points, or 0.73 percent, to close at 3,577.31 points with 71.78 million shares traded. The BR Commercial Banks Index declined by 395.39 points, or 0.66 percent, to 59,779.57 points on a turnover of 39.04 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index slipped by 83.81 points, or 0.58 percent, to close at 14,324.47 points with a trading volume of 29.19 million shares. The BR Automobile Assembler Index lost 128.18 points, or 0.55 percent, to settle at 23,010.06 points on a turnover of 4.63 million shares, while the BR Cement Index declined by 48.51 points, or 0.41 percent, to close at 11,885.72 points with 38.02 million shares changing hands.
The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index remained almost flat, easing by just 2.65 points, or 0.01 percent, to finish at 27,160.70 points on a turnover of 34.82 million shares.
Market participants are expected to remain focused on geopolitical developments in the Middle East and their impact on international crude oil prices in the coming sessions. Analysts believe that while heightened external risks may continue to fuel volatility and keep investors cautious in the near term, attractive market valuations could encourage selective buying should geopolitical tensions ease and global commodity prices stabilize.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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