PSX Mid-Day: Highway to Hell

July 08, 2026 (MLN): The benchmark KSE-100 Index traded sharply lower on Wednesday, standing at 180,983.70 as of 1:52pm, down 5,271.85 points, or 2.83%, as investors reacted to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a sharp rise in international oil prices.

Market sentiment remained under heavy pressure after oil prices advanced following fresh U.S. military strikes on Iran in response to attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, heightening fears of prolonged supply disruptions and regional instability.

Investor concerns deepened after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire agreement with Iran was no longer in effect, while Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted U.S. military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation, fueling fears of a broader regional conflict.

The index traded in a range of 4,259.00 points, touching an intraday high of 185,215.56 (-1,039.99 points) and a low of 180,956.56 (-5,298.99 points).

The total volume of the KSE-100 Index stood at 291.84 million shares.

Of the 100 index companies, 6 advanced, 93 declined, while 1 remained unchanged.

Top losers during the session were DGKC (-8.04%), PAEL (-7.08%), PIBTL (-6.34%), SNGP (-6.20%), and PSX (-6.10%).

On the gaining side, IBFL (+10.00%), PGLC (+3.26%), ATRL (+1.46%), THALL (+1.02%), and CNERGY (+0.94%) posted the strongest gains.

In terms of index-point contribution, UBL (-465.97pts) led the declines, followed by FFC (-408.66pts), ENGROH (-328.60pts), LUCK (-241.60pts), and PPL (-216.95pts).

Meanwhile, companies providing support to the index included ATRL (+19.02pts), IBFL (+17.73pts), THALL (+7.04pts), RMPL (+3.93pts), and CNERGY (+3.82pts).

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was dragged lower by Commercial Banks (-1,793.32pts), Cement (-677.04pts), Fertilizer (-564.22pts), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (-498.20pts), and Investment Banks / Investment Companies / Securities Companies (-386.45pts).

Meanwhile, Refinery (+22.84pts), Synthetic & Rayon (+17.73pts), Automobile Parts & Accessories (+7.04pts), and Leasing Companies (+0.17pts) provided limited support.

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