KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) posted strong gains on Friday as the KSE-100 index climbed 2,696.3 points, or 1.59 per cent, to close at 172,399.9, against the previous session’s close of 169,703.6. The market sentiment was positive following the US president’s statement to delay military strikes against Iran.
The index reached an intraday high of 173,093.46 and a low of 170,946.54. The KSE-30 index rose 836.84 points to close at 51,428.16. Ali Najib, deputy head of trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the PSX witnessed a strong session, ending the week comfortably above the 172,000 mark. Investor sentiment improved significantly amid easing geopolitical concerns after US President Donald Trump reportedly delayed potential military action against Iran, allowing additional time for diplomatic negotiations. The development boosted risk appetite and triggered broad-based buying across key sectors.
“Improved prospects for a diplomatic resolution between the US and Iran have provided a near-term boost to investor confidence. Going forward, market direction is likely to be shaped by developments on the geopolitical front and investors’ assessment of Budget FY27 measures,” he said.
Ready market turnover rose 15.39 per cent to 890.8 million shares from 771.93 million shares in the prior session. Traded value surged 55.2 per cent to Rs41.99 billion from Rs27.05 billion, while market capitalisation increased 1.29 per cent to Rs19.12 trillion from Rs18.88 trillion.
Market breadth was firmly positive, with 282 stocks advancing against 167 declining and 39 unchanged. Among the top gainers, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited rose Rs68 to close at Rs25,868, while Sapphire Fibres Limited added Rs44.86 to close at Rs1,147.32. On the downside, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited shed Rs14.08 to close at Rs2,420.59, and Kohat Textile Mills Limited declined Rs13.49 to close at Rs121.46.
According to Topline Sales Desk, the KSE-100 Index rose 1.6 per cent, driven by improved investor sentiment after reports that planned US strikes on Iran were called off, easing regional tensions and boosting hopes for diplomatic progress.
Top positive contribution to the index came from LUCK PA, HUBC PA, ENGROH PA, UBL PA, MEBL PA, FFC PA and NBP PA, as they cumulatively contributed 1,290 points to the index. Traded value wise MLCF (Rs3.2 billion), DGKC (Rs2.9 billion), LUCK (Rs2.4 billion), BOP (Rs1.8 billion), NBP (Rs1.3 billion), HUBC (Rs1.25 billion) and OGDC (Rs1 billion) dominated the trading activity.
Kohinoor Spinning led ready market turnover with 57.75 million shares, gaining 15 paisas to close at Rs5.88, followed by Bank of Punjab with 52.92 million shares, rising 93 paisas to close at Rs34.61. The remaining most-traded stocks were Sitara Petroleum, WorldCall Telecom, Maple Leaf, Oilboy Energy, F Nat Equities, TPL Corp Ltd, Pak Int Bulk and Waves Home App. In the futures market, 310 contracts were traded, with 236 increasing in value, 66 declining and 8 unchanged.
