PSX sheds 481 points amid muted participation

The Express Tribune reported that the benchmark KSE-100 ended Friday's session lower, with the index dropping 481.4 points, or 0.29 per cent, to finish at 168,155.5. The Pakistan Stock Exchange's weekly fall reached 1.52 per cent, as subdued investor participation and a lack of fresh triggers kept buyers on the sidelines. Elevated crude oil prices and an unresolved stalemate in US-Iran relations added to the pressure.

Breadth was weak, with 321 stocks closing lower and only 128 advancing. UBL, Mari Energies and OGDC were the main positive contributors, while Systems Ltd, Meezan Bank and Lucky Cement weighed most heavily on the index. Together, SYS, MEBL, LUCK, NBP and HBL removed 269 points, according to the report.

Trading remained muted, with 494 million shares changing hands worth Rs17.49 billion. Maple Leaf Cement, Askari Bank and OGDC led turnover by value, and foreign investors bought shares worth Rs250.8 million, the National Clearing Company reported.