Overview
- The KSE-100 closed marginally higher on Friday at 166,419.72, gaining 233.55 points after a session that oscillated between roughly 165,956 and 166,708.
- Despite Friday’s small rise the index finished the trading week down about 669–670 points, reflecting pronounced volatility and a wide weekly trading band.
- Market participation weakened with turnover falling to roughly 396.9 million shares and traded value sliding to about Rs18.68 billion, while breadth was negative with more decliners than advancers.
- Selective buying in banks and technology stocks such as SYS, UBL, MCB, BAHL and EFERT buoyed the benchmark, while selling in oil and gas and cement names including OGDC and LUCK capped gains.
- With high global oil prices putting upward pressure on costs and a State Bank rate decision plus upcoming corporate earnings on the horizon, investors are likely to keep positions cautious until clearer policy or earnings signals emerge.