KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended lower on Friday as cautious investor sentiment prevailed amid limited progress in US-Iran peace negotiations and renewed regional tensions, prompting investors to adopt a defensive stance despite a range-bound trading session.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index lost 696.57 points or 0.41 percent to close at 170,478.94 points against the previous session’s close of 171,175.51 points. The index moved within a narrow range, touching an intraday high of 172,102.91 points and a low of 170,254.65 points.
BRIndex100 closed at 18,850.25 points, down 46.07 points or 0.24 percent, with total traded volume of 512.71 million shares. BRIndex30 fell 371.58 points or 0.54 percent to close at 68,904.70 points with turnover of 326.48 million shares.
According to Topline Securities, market activity remained subdued throughout the day as investors closely monitored developments on the geopolitical front. The brokerage house noted that limited advancement in US-Iran negotiations during the week, coupled with continued clashes despite the fragile ceasefire established in April and ongoing hostilities in Lebanon, weighed on investor confidence and restricted fresh buying activity.
Topline Securities stated that Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), JDW Sugar Mills (JVDC), Kohinoor Textile Mills (KTML), Millat Tractors (MTL) and Nishat Power (NPL) provided positive support and cumulatively contributed 138 points to the benchmark index. However, losses in United Bank Limited (UBL), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), MCB Bank (MCB) and Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL) more than offset those gains, collectively dragging the index down by 476 points.
Market capitalization contracted to Rs18.928 trillion from Rs18.983 trillion recorded in the previous session, reflecting an erosion of approximately Rs54.73 billion in investors’ wealth.
Trading activity, however, remained healthy. In the ready market, total turnover increased to 727.17 million shares from 697.17 million shares a day earlier, while traded value improved to Rs26.75 billion against Rs26.14 billion previously.
Market breadth remained positive in the ready market, where 248 companies advanced, 205 declined and 38 remained unchanged out of 491 traded companies.
Activity in the ready market was dominated by TPL Properties, which led the volume chart with turnover of 42.06 million shares and closed at Rs9.33. TPL Corp followed with 42.00 million shares and a closing price of Rs12.20, while Pace (Pakistan) Limited traded 41.81 million shares and settled at Rs11.62.
On the gainers’ table, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited emerged as the top performer, gaining Rs47.21 to close at Rs2,420.84, followed by Hoechst Pakistan Limited, which advanced Rs43.50 to settle at Rs4,052.50. On the losing side, Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited registered the largest decline, shedding Rs71.41 to close at Rs9,624.46, while Khyber Textile Mills Limited fell Rs29.17 to settle at Rs1,527.83.
Among sectoral indices, the BR Automobile Assembler Index was the only major gainer, rising 124.68 points or 0.46 percent to close at 27,474.65 points on a turnover of 4.27 million shares. The BR Cement Index slipped 20.55 points or 0.17 percent to 11,907.57 points with volume of 55.88 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index declined 395.81 points or 0.69 percent to close at 56,936.29 points on turnover of 28.40 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index lost 94.67 points or 0.34 percent to settle at 27,672.55 points with volume of 27.32 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index dropped 139.72 points or 0.93 percent to 14,931.41 points on turnover of 62.29 million shares, while the BR Tech & Communication Index shed 7.52 points or 0.19 percent to close at 3,903.57 points with volume of 125.61 million shares.
Market participants are expected to remain focused on developments surrounding US-Iran negotiations and broader Middle East tensions in the coming sessions.
Analysts believe that any meaningful progress on the diplomatic front could revive risk appetite and support equities, while continued uncertainty and elevated geopolitical risks may keep investors cautious and market volatility intact.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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