PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Hold the Winning Hand

July 21, 2026 (MLN):The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed Tuesday's session slightly higher, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index extending its gains as selective buying in heavyweight banking and cement stocks helped offset selling pressure in oil, fertilizer, and refinery shares.

The market remained volatile as investors weighed improving diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire between the United States and Iran against renewed military exchanges and fresh concerns over regional energy supplies.

The easing in global oil prices, amid hopes that mediation efforts could lead to de-escalation, also provided some relief to investor sentiment.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Tuesday's trading session at 176,133.56, showing an increase of 205.83 points or 0.12%.

The index remained positive throughout the day, touching an intraday high of 178,370.45 (+2,442.72 points) and a low of 176,062.69 (+134.96 points).

The total volume traded in the KSE-100 Index stood at 448.77 million shares.

Of the 100 index companies, 45 closed higher, 53 ended lower, while 2 remained unchanged.

Top gainers during the day were PAEL (+3.42%), POWER (+3.15%), FCCL (+1.79%), KEL (+1.65%), and GHGL (+1.54%).

On the losing side were CNERGY (-6.13%), SSGC (-3.05%), HGFA (-2.19%), MLCF (-2.08%), and ATRL (-1.63%).

In terms of index-point contributions, UBL (+74.54pts), ENGROH (+58.40pts), LUCK (+55.29pts), MEBL (+37.49pts), and MCB (+33.81pts) provided the biggest support to the benchmark.

Meanwhile, OGDC (-53.96pts), FFC (-33.93pts), MLCF (-33.13pts), CNERGY (-31.37pts), and DGKC (-26.10pts) dragged the index lower.

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was supported by Commercial Banks (+182.04pts), Investment Banks / Investment Companies / Securities Companies (+56.20pts), Power Generation & Distribution (+28.41pts), Cement (+26.09pts), and Cable & Electrical Goods (+25.53pts).

On the downside, Refinery (-54.31pts), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (-54.24pts), Fertilizer (-34.32pts), Oil & Gas Marketing Companies (-18.05pts), and Property (-9.70pts) exerted pressure on the benchmark.

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 106,568.82, up 149.03 points or 0.14%.

Total market volume stood at 1,003.50 million shares, compared with 675.92m in the previous session, while traded value increased by Rs5.44bn to Rs35.70bn.

A total of 413,475 trades were reported across 494 companies, with 268 stocks closing higher, 191 lower, and 35 remaining unchanged.

To note, the KSE-100 has lost 4,168 points or 2.31% during the fiscal year, whereas it has increased 2,079 points or 1.19% so far this calendar year.

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