PSX gains over 1,600 points as buying returns after volatile session

The Pakistan Stock Exchange opened on a positive note on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining more than 1,600 points in early trading as buying activity returned across key sectors.

Market activity showed gains in sectors including chemicals, food and personal care products, and oil marketing companies, indicating broad-based participation in the early session.

The uptick follows a volatile trading day on Thursday, when the KSE-100 Index closed lower by 293.50 points, or 0.18%, at 165,517.51. Investors had remained cautious amid geopolitical developments and uncertainty in global markets.

Global markets showed mixed signals. Asian equities edged higher on Friday, although gains were limited due to concerns over the durability of the recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran, as well as uncertainty surrounding developments in the Middle East.

MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.5%, supported by a 1.9% increase in South Korea’s Kospi. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also advanced by 1.5%.

In the United States, S&P 500 e-mini futures recovered from earlier losses to trade flat, reflecting cautious sentiment among investors.

Analysts said market direction will continue to be influenced by geopolitical developments and global commodity price movements in the near term.