KARACHI: On the eve of the budget, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed fluctuations on Thursday, managing modest gains in a volatile session. However, the benchmark KSE-100 index failed to close above the key level of 170,000 despite an intraday effort to surpass it, amid rising tensions in the Middle East following reports of US-Israel attacks and Iranian retaliation.
Topline Securities Ltd said the benchmark KSE100 index ended the session on a buoyant note, edging higher to close at 169,703 point s, up 276 points or 0.16 per cent, a modest yet encouraging recovery amid an otherwise turbulent week dominated by geopolitical headwinds.
On the index contribution front, index heavyweights Meezan Bank, MariEnergies, Engro Holdings, United Bank, and PakistanOilfield were the primary drivers of upside momen-tum, collectively adding 315 points to the benchmark’sgain and underscoring sustained institutional interestin blue-chip names across the energy and banking sectors.
AliNajib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd (AHL), said the PSX witnessed a consolidation session, with investor sentiment mixed amid persistent uncertainty over US-Iran tensions.
With no decisive developments on the geopolitical front, market momentum remained directionless as investors awaited greater clarity before taking fresh positions.
Pakistan’s GDP growth improved to 3.7pc in FY26, supported by stronger performances in the agriculture and services sectors.
Meanwhile, per capita income rose to $1,901, while investment and savings ratios remained broadly unchanged.
-Muhammad Kashif