PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Stage a Comeback

April 24, 2026 (MLN): Stocks at the Pakistan Stock Exchange staged a strong recovery on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing higher despite remaining under pressure for most of the trading session amid heightened geopolitical tensions and volatile oil prices.

The KSE-100 Index settled at 170,672.04, gaining 1,498.67 points or 0.89%. The market witnessed sharp intraday swings, trading in a wide range of 5,260.61 points, hitting a high of 171,641.32 (+2,467.95 points) and a low of 166,380.71 (-2,792.66 points).

Earlier in the session, the index remained under significant pressure as oil prices climbed to around $106 per barrel, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, including naval confrontations and the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The surge in oil prices weighed on investor sentiment, triggering broad-based selling during the first half of trading.

However, sentiment improved later in the day, allowing the market to recover into positive territory. The rebound was attributed to renewed optimism on the diplomatic front, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was expected to arrive in Islamabad for a possible second round of peace talks with the United States. The development raised hopes of easing tensions and stabilizing global energy markets as oil fell.

Trading activity remained healthy, with total volume in the KSE-100 Index recorded at 445.22 million shares. Market breadth turned positive, as 74 stocks advanced, 24 declined, and 2 remained unchanged.

Among the top gainers, BOP (+5.70%), KTML (+5.65%), NPL (+4.78%), ATRL (+4.66%), and SSGC (+4.11%) led the rally. On the downside, MEHT (-6.44%), INIL (-1.77%), AGP (-1.57%), FABL (-1.56%), and GLAXO (-1.51%) closed lower.

In terms of index-point contribution, the upside was driven by MEBL (+217.70 points), UBL (+177.76 points), OGDC (+146.72 points), NBP (+129.43 points), and BOP (+93.43 points). Meanwhile, pressure came from BAHL (-77.16 points), FABL (-22.10 points), MCB (-21.86 points), HMB (-20.43 points), and EFERT (-16.87 points).

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was supported by Commercial Banks (+491.56 points), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (+291.58 points), Cement (+202.88 points), Power Generation & Distribution (+79.01 points), and Technology & Communication (+74.87 points). On the flip side, Pharmaceuticals (-16.88 points) and Property (-12.68 points) weighed on the index.

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 102,034.88, gaining 901.13 points or 0.89%. Total market volume stood at 1,192.17 million shares, while traded value was recorded at Rs39.68 billion.

A total of 480 companies were traded, of which 247 advanced, 196 declined, and 37 remained unchanged, reflecting a positive close after a highly volatile session.

To note, the KSE-100 has gained 45,045 points or 35.86% during the fiscal year, whereas it has decreased 3,382 points or 1.94% so far this calendar year.

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