PSX settles higher as KSE-100 adds nearly 1,000 points

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw another volatile trading session on Friday, with the KSE-100 Index closing with a gain of nearly 1,000 points after losing half of its intra-day gains.

The benchmark index opened on a strong note, extending the previous session’s recovery as aggressive buying in key index-heavy stocks propelled the market sharply higher. During the first half of the trading session, the KSE-100 climbed steadily, hitting an intra-day high of 183,477.57.

However, the bullish momentum faded during the afternoon session as investors opted to book profits following the sharp early gains. Selling pressure gradually intensified after mid-day, erasing a significant portion of the early gains.

At close, the benchmark index settled at 182,241.77, up 982.10 points or 0.54%.

“The KSE-100 Index rebounded today as oil prices eased following indications that the United States and Iran are continuing diplomatic talks despite recent confrontations, improving investor sentiment and reducing concerns over prolonged geopolitical tensions,” brokerage house Topline Securities said in its post-market report.

Top positive contribution to the index came from banking sector, as MEBL, UBL, HBL, MCB and AKBL from the banking sector cumulatively contributed 548 points to the index, Topline said.

Pakistan received a record $41.6 billion in workers’ remittances during fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26), marking the highest annual inflow in the country’s history.

On Thursday, PSX witnessed a volatile trading session but managed to recover most of its early losses as selective buying in blue-chip stocks helped the market stabilise following Wednesday’s sharp selloff triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The KSE-100 Index settled at 181,259.68 points, down 369.69 points or 0.20%.

Globally, Asian stocks rose sharply on Friday, led by chip and AI firms as investors brushed ​off concern over the stalled recovery of energy supplies through the critical Strait of Hormuz, with tit-for-tat attacks escalating between the US and ‌Iran.

The renewed back-and-forth attacks have further eroded the fragile three-week-old ceasefire, bringing the spotlight back on oil prices and what it could mean for inflation and the global rates outlook.

Brent crude futures were set for a 5% rise in the week, their strongest weekly performance since early May. But at $76.03 per barrel, Brent has given up most of the gains it picked up ​when the conflict began at the end of February.

Japan’s Nikkei rose 1.8% while South Korea’s KOSPI, the epicentre of the AI rally, gained 2.4% in early trading. Chip bellwethers SK ​Hynix and Samsung were both up 3%. Taiwan markets were closed.

That left the MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan 0.76% higher.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee posted marginal gain against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Friday. At close, the local currency settled at 278.05, a gain of Re0.01 against the greenback.

Volume on the all-share index decreased to 948.78 million from 982.12 million recorded in the previous close.

The value of shares declined to Rs38.41 billion from Rs41.86 billion in the previous session.

Cnergyico PK was the volume leader with 151.75 million shares, followed by K-Electric Ltd with 67.53 million shares, and WorldCall Telecom with 51.76 million shares.

Shares of 495 companies were traded on Friday, of which 292 registered an increase, 169 recorded a fall, and 34 remained unchanged.