Volatile session at PSX ends in red

The Express Tribune reported that the KSE-100 finished Thursday's session at 176,591.77, shedding 254.59 points or 0.14 per cent. The index had climbed more than 1,400 points early in the day, reaching an intra-day high of 178,291 before reversing sharply.

Sellers targeted banking and power heavyweights, while oil and gas exploration stocks attracted selective buying that offered some support. The index slid to a low of 176,157, and market breadth remained weak. Turnover totalled 665 million shares worth Rs30.8 billion.

Arif Habib Limited said the index failed to break through the 178,000-180,000 resistance zone and that downward pressure persists while it stays below that band. Nishat Mills announced it is leaving its joint venture in Nishat Sutas Dairy Limited, pointing to difficult market and regulatory conditions in the dairy sector.