PSX slides towards 162,000 amid ME war

The KSE-100 lost 1,549.44 points, closing Friday at 162,374.88, as selling extended the index’s weekly decline to 2.43%. The Express Tribune reported that escalating US-Iran tensions, higher international oil prices and investor profit-taking ahead of the SBP policy decision weighed on trading.

Decliners outnumbered advancing shares, 311 to 136, while 48 stocks were unchanged. Meezan Bank, Lucky Cement, Hub Power and Pakistan Petroleum were among the biggest drags; Askari Bank was among the positive contributors. Macpac Films and Pakistan Refinery also fell, while foreign investors sold shares worth Rs416.6 million.

Trading value reached Rs18.20 billion, with 398.94 million shares changing hands. Pakistan Petroleum, Thatta Cement and Hub Power led activity by traded value, while Macpac Films and Pakistan Refinery were among the most actively traded shares by volume.