PSX Closing Bell: Bears Win

April 30, 2026 (MLN): The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Thursday's trading session at 162,994.17, registering a decline of 2,829.70 points or 1.71%, as persistent selling pressure weighed on the market.

The index traded within a wide range of 3,966.29 points, hitting an intraday high of 164,357.47 (-1,466.40) and a low of 160,391.18 (-5,432.69), reflecting heightened volatility throughout the session.

Total volume of the KSE-100 Index stood at 366.14 million shares.

Market breadth remained negative, with 81 stocks closing lower, 18 advancing, and 1 remaining unchanged.

Among the major laggards were YOUW (-10.10%), SSOM (-7.65%), ISL (-6.71%), JVDC (-6.67%), and SSGC (-5.76%). On the other hand, THALL (+5.31%), KTML (+4.19%), HCAR (+4.09%), IBFL (+3.94%), and INDU (+3.21%) led the gainers.

Heavyweight stocks including UBL, PPL, FFC, NBP, and ENGROH dragged the index lower, while some support came from THALL, INDU, AKBL, KTML, and APL.

Sector-wise, the decline was led by Commercial Banks, Oil & Gas Exploration Companies, Fertilizer, Cement, and Investment Companies, whereas limited support was observed in Automobile Parts, Paper & Packaging, and Synthetic sectors.

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 97,525.91, down 1,634.98 points or 1.65%.

Total market volume stood at 837.37 million shares compared to 1,087.44 million in the previous session, while traded value was recorded at Rs36.35 billion, down by Rs3.20bn.

A total of 466,327 trades were reported in 484 companies, with 101 closing up, 347 closing down, and 36 remaining unchanged.

Investor sentiment remained under pressure as global oil prices surged, with Brent crude reaching multi-year highs amid escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.

Adding to the uncertainty, the recent announcement by the United Arab Emirates to exit OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance continued to rattle energy markets, fueling concerns over future supply coordination among major oil producers.

These combined factors triggered risk-off sentiment, prompting investors to reduce exposure to equities and leading to broad-based declines at the Pakistan Stock Exchange.

To note, the KSE-100 has gained 37,367 points or 29.74% during the fiscal year, whereas it has decreased 11,060 points or 6.35% so far this calendar year.

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