Overview
- The market plunged during the middle of the week when the KSE-100 fell about 1,580.90 points to roughly 176,043 on Wednesday as fresh US‑Iran related strikes and retaliations unnerved investors.
- Selling pressure continued into Thursday with the index closing near 175,548 after heavy intraday swings and lower volumes, reflecting cautious trading ahead of further regional news.
- On Friday morning the bourse staged a strong intraday recovery, gaining roughly 1,378–1,380 points to reclaim the 176,000 level before trading was suspended for the weekly prayer break.
- Analysts link the moves to higher international crude prices after reported US and Saudi strikes and an Iranian attack claim, concentrated weakness in large caps such as UBL, LUCK, ENGROH, HUBC and PPL, and net foreign selling reported at about Rs255 million.
- Market participants say near‑term direction will hinge on further Middle East developments, oil price trends, foreign flows and corporate earnings, with rising fuel costs likely to pressure import bills and company margins.