Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 Index remained under pressure on Friday, closing 340 points lower as elevated international oil prices and renewed geopolitical uncertainty kept investors cautious.
The KSE-100 Index closed at 170,425 points, down 340 points or 0.20%, after trading within a relatively narrow range during the session. The benchmark index touched an intraday high of 171,127 points and a low of 170,120 points, reflecting subdued investor participation and a risk-off market tone.
Investor sentiment remained cautious amid renewed geopolitical uncertainty and a sharp rise in international crude oil prices. Brent crude climbed above US$106 per barrel, increasing concerns about the potential impact of higher energy costs on Pakistan’s inflation outlook and external account.
The rise in global oil prices remains a key concern for the domestic market, given Pakistan’s reliance on imported energy. Higher crude prices can increase the country’s import bill and place additional pressure on foreign exchange requirements, while also creating challenges for inflation and macroeconomic stability.
Major Contributors and Drags
Several index-heavy stocks provided support to the benchmark, limiting the overall decline. TRG, FFC, OGDC, ATRL and HUBC emerged as the major positive contributors, collectively adding approximately 265 points to the KSE-100 Index.
However, gains in these stocks were more than offset by selling pressure in other major companies. UBL, HBL and LUCK were the leading drags on the index, collectively shaving around 235 points from the benchmark.
The mixed performance of heavyweight stocks kept the index range-bound for most of the trading session, with investors closely monitoring developments in global oil markets and the geopolitical environment.
Trading Activity
Market activity remained relatively subdued compared with the previous session. Total trading volume stood at approximately 421 million shares, while the overall traded value was recorded at around PKR 17.7 billion.
The latest session highlights the sensitivity of Pakistan’s equity market to movements in international oil prices and geopolitical developments. Investors are likely to continue monitoring crude prices, external account pressures and regional developments for further direction.