The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced cautious trading on Thursday as it approached an extended Eid ul Fitr 2026 and weekly break, with the benchmark KSE-100 index closing down by 1.01%, equivalent to 1,552 points, at 152,740.38.
Throughout the week, the bourse remained within a limited range due to ongoing geopolitical tensions that negatively impacted investor sentiment.
Topline Securities, in its market review, observed that investors took a cautious stance during the final trading session before the long weekend.
The index faced pressure and concluded with a 1% decline.
This investor pessimism can be linked to the events of Wednesday, where Israel’s assault on Iran’s South Pars gas field, followed by Iran’s retaliation against Qatar’s LNG facility, caused crude oil prices to surge.
The primary negative contributors to the KSE-100 index included Engro Holdings, UBL, Pakistan Petroleum, Meezan Bank, and Engro Fertilisers, which collectively deducted 640 points.
In terms of traded value, NBP (Rs1.81 billion), Mari Energies (Rs1.27 billion), PPL (Rs1.08 billion), Fauji Fertiliser Company (Rs1.07 billion), and Lucky Cement (Rs956 million) were the most active.
The total traded volume and value at PSX for the day were recorded at 327 million shares and Rs19.4 billion ahead of Eid ul Fitr 2026.
Arif Habib Limited (AHL) further pointed out that the KSE-100 concluded the week with a 0.73% decrease, as selling pressure ahead of the holiday period curtailed potential gains.
On Thursday, 23 stocks advanced while 72 declined, with HBL (+0.37%), Fatima Fertiliser (+0.85%), and Kohinoor Textile (+2.43%) leading the upward movement of the index, whereas Engro Holdings (-1.99%), UBL (-1.43%), and PPL (-2.53%) exerted the most downward pressure on the market.
Additionally, Mari Energies announced an oil and gas discovery at the Shams-1 well in Ghotki, which is expected to produce 48 million cubic feet of gas per day and 64 barrels of oil per day.
PSX to receive consultation for T+1 settlement cycle
Earlier, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) began a consultation with stakeholders regarding the T+1 settlement cycle at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).
This consultation, which is expected to conclude following the Eid holidays, will concentrate on identifying the challenges of implementation and evaluating the effects of T+1 on liquidity, investor engagement, operational preparedness, and heightened capital requirements, as stated in the SECP press release.
Read more: SECP to consult market on T+1 settlement
