KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) stalled on Friday, ending a two-session recovery rally, as the benchmark index faced selling pressure amid investor profit-booking ahead of the weekend.
Topline Securities Ltd said the benchmark KSE-100 index remained under pressure for most of the trading session, although buying interest emerged in the final hours, enabling it to recover some losses. The index ultimately closed at 181,430.02 points, down 346.57 points or 0.19 per cent.
The negative sentiment was primarily driven by the rebound in international oil prices, prompting investors to book profits ahead of the weekend.
Engro Holdings, United Bank, MCB Bank, Engro Fertiliser, and Fatima Fertiliser were the largest drags, collectively shaving 331 points off the benchmark index.
Investor participation weakened as the trading volume dipped 9.74pc to 716 million shares, while the traded value fell 15.40pc to R34.1 billion. Cnergyico PK topped the volume chart with 161 million shares traded.
Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the market opened on a subdued note, with the benchmark index touching an intraday high of 181,647. However, early gains were erased in the second half as investors squared off positions ahead of the weekend, resulting in a marginally negative close.
Mari Energies reported record FY26 earnings of Rs87bn, with 4QFY26 earnings per share (EPS) of Rs31.2, up 99pc year-on-year, driven by higher oil prices, increased production from the HRL field, the commencement of output from Spinwam, and a tax reversal.
Analysts anticipate the market will remain range-bound in the near term as investors await new macroeconomic and corporate catalysts. Ongoing easing of geopolitical tensions, stable oil prices, and the earnings season are expected to support the market, while profit-taking at higher levels could keep the benchmark volatile.
Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026
