PSX up 400 points amid mixed trading

The benchmark KSE-100 ended Tuesday about 400 points higher, though trading stayed cautious and the index failed to get past the 178,000 level. It finished at 177,370.71, a rise of 404.02 points or 0.23%. Banks and fertiliser makers did most of the lifting, with UBL, Meezan Bank and Fauji Fertiliser among the largest positive contributors.

Oil, gas and technology shares pulled the other way, with OGDC, Engro Holdings and Systems Ltd among the main laggards. Arif Habib Limited said market breadth was mixed, while Topline Securities counted 223 stocks higher and 229 lower across 499 companies. Buying stayed selective, concentrated in blue-chip and cyclical names according to Topline Securities.

Investors also tracked the Iran trip by the army chief, a one-day mission intended to lower friction between Tehran and Washington. Global oil prices were down roughly 3% during the session. Trading volume was 644.8 million shares worth Rs31.4 billion, and the exchange will be closed on Wednesday for 12th Rabiul Awwal.