Overview
- The KSE-100 gained 373.73 points to close at 177,696.51 on Friday, recovering from an earlier dip but failing to break the 178,000–180,000 resistance band.
- Banks and technology names drove the move, with Systems Limited, The Bank of Punjab, Habib Bank, Meezan Bank and Interloop together contributing about 594 points to the index.
- The Bank of Punjab reported Q2 profit of Rs4.7 billion and raised its semi‑annual dividend to Rs1.6 per share, a result that lifted trading in that stock and supported overall market activity.
- Trading showed selective participation: ready-market turnover was roughly 658.3 million shares worth about Rs31.5 billion, market breadth was negative, and foreign investors were net sellers of roughly Rs818 million.
- Market watchers say the result season, technical resistance and external factors — notably international oil moves, geopolitics and the IMF’s fourth review of the $7 billion EFF scheduled for September — are the main near-term catalysts to watch.