PSX Ends Flat Near 180,500 as Investors Pause After Record Rally
The KSE-100 Index settled at 180,511.02, up 118.05 points or 0.07 percent from the previous close of 180,392.98 . The market remained highly volatile throughout the session, touching an intraday high of 181,357.70 before slipping to a low of 179,564.17 as investors locked in profits in several heavyweight sectors
Selective buying was witnessed in oil and gas, fertilizer, automobile, and cement stocks, while banking shares remained under pressure . Index-heavyweights including Fatima Fertilizer (+9.78%), Pakistan Petroleum (+2.8%), and Oil and Gas Development Company (+1.95%) emerged as the primary drivers of upside momentum . In contrast, UBL (-2.03%), Meezan Bank (-1.63%), and Hub Power (-1.63%) were the biggest index drags .
Investor sentiment remained cautiously optimistic amid easing geopolitical concerns following the recent US-Iran peace agreement, which contributed to a decline in international oil prices below $80 per barrel . Trading activity remained healthy, with volumes increasing to 1.23 billion shares from Tuesday's total of 1.22 billion .
Analysts expect the market to consolidate near record highs as investors await fresh economic and corporate triggers۔