PSX edges up 153 points amid geopolitical uncertainty

The Pakistan Stock Exchange ended Thursday's session almost flat, with the benchmark KSE-100 rising 153 points, or 0.09 per cent, to close at 174,930. Investor sentiment stayed divided as the United States and Iran exchanged military strikes and crude prices kept climbing, according to Ali Najib, deputy head of trading at Arif Habib Ltd. Iran was reported to have targeted merchant vessels, while US strikes hit sites linked to the IRGC.

Separately, Pakistan raised a record $3 billion through high-yield bonds, split between $1.75 billion of five-year notes at 7.75 per cent and $1.25 billion of 10-year notes at 8.25 per cent. Ten stocks, including ENGROH, LUCK and NBP, collectively added 341 points to the index.

Trading totalled 625.7 million shares worth Rs25 billion, and TSIL was the most actively traded name with 95 million shares changing hands. The Tribune also flagged profit-taking in selected names and volatility specific to individual stocks during the results season, with geopolitical events and oil moves seen as key drivers.