Karachi, March 13, 2026 – The benchmark index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange witnessed another volatile trading session on Friday, with the KSE-100 Index declining by more than 550 points amid cautious investor sentiment linked to surging global oil prices and geopolitical tensions.
The market initially opened on a strong positive note, with early buying pushing the benchmark index to an intra-day high above 155,000 points. However, the rally proved short-lived as selling pressure gradually emerged, dragging the index lower during the session.
By late morning, the market experienced a sharp downturn, with the index touching an intra-day low of 152,780 points as investors opted for profit-taking and adopted a cautious approach ahead of the weekend.
Although the market attempted a partial recovery later in the day, the benchmark remained under pressure and moved sideways with mild fluctuations in the afternoon session. By the close of trading, the KSE-100 Index settled at 153,866.16 points, registering a loss of 555.27 points or 0.36 percent compared to the previous close.
Brokerage firm Topline Securities said that investor concerns were largely driven by uncertainty surrounding the ongoing Middle East tensions, which have pushed global oil prices close to $100 per barrel.
“Investors are wary of any negative developments over the weekend due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which is already keeping oil prices elevated,” the brokerage house noted.
According to market analysts, several heavyweight stocks dragged the index lower. Shares of Engro Holdings, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Lucky Cement, Hub Power Company, and Meezan Bank collectively contributed around 649 negative points to the benchmark index, amplifying the market’s decline.
KSE-100 Market Summary
| Market Indicator | Value |
| Market Status | Closed |
| Current Index | 153,866.16 |
| Change | -555.27 |
| Percent Change | -0.36% |
| Day’s High | 155,002.10 |
| Day’s Low | 152,780.79 |
| Volume | 113,043,219 |
| Previous Close | 154,421.43 |
| Traded Value | Rs11,734,798,583 |
Market experts believe that global oil price movements and geopolitical developments will continue to influence investor sentiment at the Pakistan Stock Exchange in the coming sessions.