The Pakistan Stock Exchange ended the week on a weaker note, with selling pressure pulling the benchmark KSE-100 Index lower on Friday as investors reacted to fresh uncertainty in global markets.
The index closed at 167,844.24, down by 670.20 points, or 0.40 percent. Trading remained volatile throughout the session, with the market swinging sharply between gains and losses before settling in the red. At one point, the index rose above 169,600, but later fell to an intraday low near 167,480, showing a wide movement during the day.
Activity stayed moderate, with around 170 million shares traded within the KSE-100 Index. Overall, market participation showed a cautious tone, as more companies ended lower than higher. Out of the 100 index stocks, 63 declined while 34 managed to close in positive territory.
Selling seen in key sectors
Heavyweight sectors led the decline, particularly banking, cement and energy shares, which came under pressure as investors opted to book profits. Among individual stocks, notable losses were seen in companies such as PGLC, GADT, YOUW, CNERGY and NPL. On the other hand, some support came from selective buying in stocks including PTC, TGL, PIOC, POWER and COLG, which helped limit the overall drop.
Major contributions to the decline came from large-cap stocks, with UBL, HBL, LUCK, ENGROH and SYS dragging the index lower. However, gains in PTC, EFERT, PPL, COLG and TGL provided some cushion against deeper losses.
Sector-wise, commercial banks remained the biggest drag on the index, followed by cement, investment companies and oil and gas stocks. Meanwhile, fertiliser, consumer goods, auto parts and a few smaller sectors showed some resilience and offered limited support.
Broader market also under pressure
The wider market followed a similar trend. The All-Share Index fell by 244.65 points, or 0.24 percent, to close at 101,190.46. Total trading volume in the market stood at over 480 million shares, with a traded value of Rs22.72 billion.
A total of 486 companies were traded during the session. Of these, 160 stocks closed higher, while 280 declined and 46 remained unchanged. Trading activity crossed 315,000 deals, reflecting steady but cautious participation.
Global concerns keep investors on edge
Investor sentiment remained under pressure due to developments on the global front. Rising international oil prices and uncertainty around talks between the US and Iran kept market participants on edge. Reports suggesting possible delays in negotiations added to concerns, particularly as Iran appears firm on its stance regarding enriched uranium.
These factors increased fears of prolonged tensions in the Middle East, prompting investors to take a defensive approach. As a result, many opted to lock in recent gains, especially in sectors that have driven the market’s earlier rally.
Despite the latest decline, the KSE-100 Index has still posted a strong gain of 42,217 points, or 33.60 percent, during the current fiscal year. However, on a calendar year basis, the market remains down by 6,210 points, or 3.57 percent, reflecting ongoing volatility and shifting investor sentiment.
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