PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Get the Cold Shoulder

August 20, 2026 (MLN):The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed Thursday’s trading session at 176,591.76, declining 254.60 points or 0.14%, as selling pressure in key heavyweight sectors outweighed gains in oil and gas exploration stocks.

The index remained volatile during the session, trading in a range of 2,134.81 points. It touched an intraday high of 178,291.37, up 1,445.01 points, before falling to a low of 176,156.56, down 689.80 points.

The total volume of the KSE-100 Index stood at 358.03 million shares.

Of the 100 index companies, 37 closed up, 61 closed down, while 2 remained unchanged.

Top losers during the day were CNERGY (-5.85%), ISL (-4.40%), FATIMA (-3.16%), SSGC (-2.91%), and PABC (-2.90%).

On the other hand, top gainers were PGLC (+9.98%), SAZEW (+7.29%), MEHT (+3.30%), TRG (+3.24%), and SSOM (+3.03%).

In terms of index-point contributions, companies that dragged the index lower were UBL (-177.76pts), HUBC (-86.43pts), BAHL (-69.63pts), HBL (-66.87pts), and FATIMA (-56.86pts).

Meanwhile, companies that added points to the index were OGDC (+116.91pts), ENGROH (+108.69pts), SAZEW (+95.67pts), MEBL (+82.69pts), and MARI (+59.07pts).

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was let down by Commercial Banks (-278.14pts), Power Generation & Distribution (-96.21pts), Fertilizer (-90.26pts), Cement (-63.61pts), and Refinery (-40.86pts).

The index was supported by Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (+223.06pts), Inv. Banks / Inv. Cos. / Securities Cos. (+103.75pts), Automobile Assembler (+47.95pts), Technology & Communication (+34.97pts), and Food & Personal Care Products (+11.72pts).

The decline came amid continued uncertainty over the U.S.-Iran conflict and the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices held firm in early Asian trade as investors monitored developments in the conflict and assessed the risk of further disruptions to regional energy supplies, keeping market sentiment cautious.

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 107,122.44 with a net loss of 150.29 points or 0.14%.

Total market volume stood at 665.19 million shares compared to 787.89m in the previous session, while traded value was recorded at Rs30.79bn, down by Rs8.78bn.

There were 389,099 trades reported across 492 companies, with 144 closing up, 312 closing down, and 36 remaining unchanged.

To note, the KSE-100 has lost 3,710 points or 2.06% during the fiscal year, whereas it has increased 2,537 points or 1.46% so far this calendar year.

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