PSX Closing Bell: Ending on a High Note

The KSE-100 Index settled at 151,207.81, up 809.10 points or 0.54%. The index witnessed significant volatility during the session, trading in a wide range of 4,103.66 points, with an intraday high of 151,875.01 (+1,476.30 points) and a low of 147,771.35 (-2,627.36 points).

Total volume in the KSE-100 Index stood at 270.55 million shares. Of the 100 index companies, 68 closed higher, 31 declined, and one remained unchanged, indicating a broadly positive market breadth.

Among the top gainers, POWER (+6.80%), TPLRF1 (+5.29%), SCBPL (+4.37%), JVDC (+4.11%), and ISL (+3.94%) posted notable gains. On the other hand, losses were recorded in UBL (-6.32%), PGLC (-4.61%), MEHT (-4.34%), CNERGY (-3.22%), and SSOM (-2.61%).

In terms of index-point contribution, the rally was led by ENGROH (+179.78 points), PPL (+151.14 points), LUCK (+122.19 points), HUBC (+107.32 points), and OGDC (+106.20 points). However, gains were partially offset by declines in UBL (-622.32 points), BAFL (-37.81 points), ATRL (-26.82 points), POL (-17.24 points), and NESTLE (-11.86 points).

Sector-wise, the index was supported by Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (+330.21 points), Cement (+239.61 points), Investment Banks/Companies/Securities Companies (+190.36 points), Fertilizer (+167.27 points), and Power Generation & Distribution (+119.62 points). Meanwhile, Commercial Banks (-491.42 points) remained the major laggard, along with losses in refinery and select smaller sectors.

Investor sentiment remained cautious but improved during the session as oil prices whipsawed in volatile trading after Donald Trump warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday or face potential attacks on its power infrastructure.

The sharp swings in global oil markets created uncertainty but also supported energy-related stocks at the local bourse.

The recovery in the KSE-100 Index was largely driven by strength in oil and gas, cement, and fertilizer sectors, as investors engaged in selective buying following recent declines, although pressure in the banking sector limited overall gains.

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 90,610.19, up 526.11 points or 0.58%. Total market volume stood at 457.21 million shares, while traded value increased to Rs30.88 billion, indicating improved activity.

A total of 483 companies were traded during the session, of which 261 advanced, 153 declined, and 69 remained unchanged, reflecting a positive tone in the market at the start of the week.