PSX Closing Bell: On the Back Foot

April 09, 2026 (MLN):Stocks at the Pakistan Stock Exchange closed marginally lower on Thursday, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index gave up early gains in a highly volatile session, with mixed investor sentiment following recent geopolitical developments.

The KSE-100 Index settled at 165,517.51, down 293.49 points or 0.18%. The index witnessed wide swings during the day, trading in a range of 4,969.16 points, with an intraday high of 166,962.16 (+1,151.16 points) and a low of 161,993.00 (-3,818 points).

Trading activity remained robust, with total volume in the KSE-100 Index recorded at 456.73 million shares. Market breadth remained mixed, as 46 companies closed higher while 54 declined, reflecting a lack of clear direction in the market.

Among the top losers, LOTCHEM (-4.71%), YOUW (-4.42%), TRG (-4.33%), CNERGY (-4.33%), and HUMNL (-4.20%) posted notable declines. On the other hand, strong gains were observed in GAL (+10.00%), AICL (+8.63%), ISL (+8.48%), KOHC (+7.88%), and FCCL (+7.86%).

In terms of index-point contribution, the decline was driven by BAHL (-178.66 points), MARI (-172.52 points), HUBC (-164.21 points), FFC (-154.69 points), and MCB (-132.89 points). Meanwhile, support came from UBL (+313.96 points), LUCK (+145.65 points), FCCL (+108.60 points), DGKC (+97.97 points), and FABL (+74.03 points).

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was weighed down by Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (-403.80 points), Power Generation & Distribution (-198.02 points), Fertilizer (-186.87 points), Investment Banks/Companies/Securities Companies (-91.08 points), and Technology & Communication (-85.72 points). On the upside, strong support came from Cement (+581.19 points), along with contributions from insurance, textile, pharmaceutical, and automobile assembler sectors.

Investor sentiment remained cautious amid ongoing uncertainty in global energy markets. Oil prices showed volatility after Iran accused the United States of breaching elements of a recently announced ceasefire understanding, raising concerns over potential disruptions to supply and renewed geopolitical tensions. The mixed signals from global markets led to profit-taking following the previous session’s sharp rally.

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 98,448.76, down 241.23 points or 0.24%. Total market volume stood at 888.57 million shares, while traded value remained largely unchanged at Rs54.28 billion, indicating sustained activity.

A total of 489 companies were traded during the session, of which 162 advanced, 290 declined, and 37 remained unchanged, reflecting a slightly negative bias despite pockets of strength in select sectors.

To note, the KSE-100 has gained 39,890 points or 31.75% during the fiscal year, whereas it has decreased 8,537 points or 4.90% so far this calendar year.

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