PSX: KSE-100 gains nearly 400 points

Business Recorder reported that the KSE-100 index closed nearly 400 points higher on Monday after a volatile session in which investors alternated between gains and losses. The benchmark finished at 180,502.44, up 397.83 points or 0.22 per cent, having touched an early high above 181,000 before late selling trimmed most of the advance.

Over the previous week, the index dropped 1,325.41 points, or 0.7 per cent, to end at 180,104.61 as doubts over the US-Iran ceasefire and oil supply routes in Hormuz and the Red Sea weighed on sentiment. The report noted that domestic fiscal and external-sector indicators stayed strong despite that pressure.

Internationally, Asian shares were broadly flat on Monday as traders watched oil prices, which rose sharply last week amid little progress toward ending the Iran war. Brent crude held at $88.50 a barrel after a 6 per cent weekly gain, while US crude eased 0.3 per cent to $82.12 a barrel. Japan's Nikkei added 0.4 per cent.