Equities eke out gains in volatile session

Dawn reported that the KSE-100 ended Wednesday's session 120.30 points higher at 168,580.41, a rise of 0.07 per cent, after a choppy day on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The market opened firmly and built on the previous session's rally, but selling into strength during the middle of the day pushed the benchmark into negative territory. Buyers returned toward the close and lifted the index back into the green, though regional and political uncertainty kept sentiment fragile.

Topline Securities noted that the index swung widely, rising 812 points at one stage to reach 169,271.99 before surrendering some of those advances. It also dipped to 168,065.87 during the session. Brent crude moved above $100 a barrel as oil prices rose modestly, a development that kept traders on edge and capped broader momentum. Analysts quoted in the report said gains could persist if oil stays calm and tensions in the Middle East subside, with 170,000 seen as a key psychological level.

United Bank, Systems, Pakistan State Oil and K-Electric led the gainers, adding 300 points in total, while Mari Energies, Meezan Bank, Lucky Cement, Hub Power and OGDC weighed on the index by 187 points in total. Trading activity picked up, with volume surging 35.84 per cent to 586.9 million shares and traded value rising 11.05 per cent to Rs22.3 billion. K-Electric also led the volume table with 82 million shares.