PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Take the Home Stretch

Mettis Link News reported that the KSE-100 index ended Friday's session 574.76 points, or 0.33 per cent, higher at 177,166.52. Gains in oil and gas, refinery and power counters outweighed weakness in banking, allowing the benchmark to recover ground. Energy names drew fresh demand as crude prices stayed high amid uncertainty over the US-Iran conflict and the safety of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Intraday trading moved within a 1,472.61-point range, from a low of 176,110.75 to a high of 177,583.36. The index recorded 410.56 million shares in volume, and 53 of its 100 companies finished higher, against 42 lower and five unchanged. PGLC led the advancers with a 9.98 per cent gain, while THALL slipped 5.06 per cent to head the decliners. OGDC, HUBC, ATRL, SRVI and PPL added the most points, whereas UBL, BOP, THALL, NBP and BAHL pulled hardest.

The All-Share Index climbed 519.21 points, or 0.48 per cent, to 107,641.65, while traded value rose by Rs4.87bn to Rs35.66bn. Of 493 companies trading, 246 advanced, 216 declined and 31 were flat. Over the fiscal year the KSE-100 is down 3,135 points or 1.74 per cent, yet it has gained 3,112 points or 1.79 per cent in the current calendar year.