PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Take the Home Stretch

August 21, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 Index closed Friday’s trading session higher by 574.76 points or 0.33% at 177,166.52, as buying interest in oil & gas, refinery and power stocks helped the market recover despite pressure in banking and other key sectors.

The index traded in a range of 1,472.61 points, recording an intraday high of 177,583.36 (+991.60) and a low of 176,110.75 (-481.01).

The positive sentiment was supported by renewed buying in energy-related stocks as oil prices remained elevated amid continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict and the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, keeping investors focused on companies that could benefit from higher energy prices.

The total volume of the KSE-100 Index was 410.56 million shares.

Of the 100 index companies, 53 closed up, 42 closed down, while 5 remained unchanged.

Top gainers during the day were PGLC (+9.98%), CNERGY (+9.55%), INIL (+7.95%), ATRL (+5.09%), and SRVI (+4.14%).

On the other hand, top losers were THALL (-5.06%), TRG (-2.84%), KTML (-2.64%), BOP (-2.17%), and CHCC (-1.58%).

In terms of index-point contributions, companies that propped up the index were OGDC (+138.29pts), HUBC (+83.61pts), ATRL (+77.76pts), SRVI (+71.95pts), and PPL (+62.50pts).

Meanwhile, companies that dragged the index lower were UBL (-44.31pts), BOP (-34.00pts), THALL (-30.32pts), NBP (-29.23pts), and BAHL (-28.66pts).

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was supported by Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (+259.55pts), Refinery (+136.08pts), Power Generation & Distribution (+83.02pts), Leather & Tanneries (+71.95pts), and Fertilizer (+71.05pts).

While the index was let down by Commercial Banks (-157.11pts), Automobile Parts & Accessories (-30.32pts), Inv. Banks / Inv. Cos. / Securities Cos. (-22.83pts), Textile Composite (-14.30pts), and Automobile Assembler (-6.02pts).

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 107,641.65 with a net gain of 519.21 points or 0.48%.

Total market volume rose to 689.17 million shares compared to 665.19m in the previous session, while traded value increased by Rs4.87bn to Rs35.66bn.

A total of 374,443 trades were reported across 493 companies, with 246 closing up, 216 closing down, and 31 remaining unchanged.

To note, the KSE-100 has lost 3,135 points or 1.74% during the fiscal year, whereas it has increased 3,112 points or 1.79% so far this calendar year.

Copyright Mettis Link News