The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed higher on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index gaining 404.02 points, or 0.23 per cent, to settle at 177,370.71, according to Topline Securities Ltd.
The market remained volatile throughout the session, recovering from early losses as selective buying emerged in key sectors. However, investor participation remained cautious, while the index continued to face resistance around the 178,000 level, keeping the short-term outlook range-bound.
United Bank, Meezan Bank, Fauji Fertiliser, Habib Bank and Lucky Cement were among the leading gainers, collectively contributing around 667 points to the index. In contrast, Oil and Gas Development Company, Engro Holdings and Systems Ltd were among the major drags, together pulling the index down by about 201 points.
Market activity weakened significantly, with trading volume falling 30.92 per cent to 644.8 million shares. The total traded value also declined 28.87pc to Rs31.4 billion.
Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the PSX posted a modestly positive session, with the benchmark moving within a 1,200-point range. The index hit an intraday high of 177,776 and a low of 176,577.
On the geopolitical front, the brokerage said the army chief’s one-day visit to Iran was aimed at helping ease tensions between Tehran and Washington and contributing to efforts to end their conflict. Iranian media described the visit as “highly fruitful”, saying its diplomatic outcomes would become clear soon.
Meanwhile, global oil prices fell by around 3pc. With Pakistan observing a public holiday on Wednesday for Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH), developments during the holiday are expected to influence market sentiment for the remainder of the week.
