PSX closes in green as KSE-100 gains 373 points

The benchmark KSE-100 index rose 373 points, or 0.21 per cent, to close Friday at 177,696, The Express Tribune reported. About 305 million shares changed hands in a mixed session, where selective buying in heavyweight stocks outweighed weakness in several other sectors. According to KTrade, overall sentiment stayed measured because losses were scattered across various sectors even as heavyweight buying lifted the index.

Banks and technology counters lent support to the market, with Systems Ltd, The Bank of Punjab, Habib Bank and Meezan Bank among the stronger performers. The Bank of Punjab stayed in focus after announcing a Rs1.60 per share dividend, which exceeded market expectations and added to the stock's momentum. Trading was concentrated in BOP, CNERGY, KEL and PIBTL, with about 92m, 91m, 14m and 9m shares changing hands respectively.

The report noted that investors are now focusing on several pending corporate results. It also described the 177,000 level as an important near-term marker for the index.