Pakis­tan Stock Exchange posts modest gains on select buying

Dawn reported that the Pakistan Stock Exchange edged up on Friday as buyers hunted for bargains despite lingering geopolitical strains. Topline Securities described the weekend session as range-bound, blaming thin activity on investors staying on the sidelines amid high crude prices and slow US-Iran talks. Meanwhile, the IMF requested around 174 amendments across several statutes to tighten financial sector governance, ahead of the fourth review of its $7bn Extended Fund Facility and third review of the $1.4bn Resilience Support Facility, both beginning Monday.

PSO, Bank Al-Habib, Habib Bank, Bank Alfalah and United Bank together lifted the index by 206 points, while Cnergyico PK, Pakistan Telecommunication Company, Fauji Fertiliser, Meezan Bank and Hub Power pulled it down by 152 points. Ali Najib of Arif Habib Ltd said the KSE-100 swung both ways before settling flat, ranging between 169,891 and 171,160 during the session. He attributed the cautious tone to prevailing uncertainties.

For FY26, PSO's earnings per share fell 28 per cent year on year to Rs32.10, a drop the company linked to weaker sales volumes, larger inventory losses, costlier petroleum products and a smaller LNG contribution. Alongside the results, PSO declared a Rs10 per share cash payout for 4QFY26. Trading weakened sharply, with volume down 36.47 per cent to 482.7 million shares and turnover off 29.97 per cent at Rs19.2bn, while Cnergyico PK led volumes with 108.2m shares.