The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained in positive territory during the first trading session on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining 446.44 points, or 0.25%, to close the morning session at 177,769.21.
According to exchange data, the index reached an intraday high of 177,833.12 and a low of 177,165.27, compared with the previous session’s close of 177,322.77.
Investors traded approximately 98.50 million shares during the first session, with the total traded value reaching Rs7.48 billion.
Trading was suspended at noon for the customary Jummah prayer break under the exchange’s Friday two-session schedule. The afternoon session is scheduled to resume at around 2:32pm and continue until 4:30pm.
The Friday rally followed a weak session on Thursday, when the KSE-100 declined 47.93 points, or 0.03%, to close at 177,322.78.
The market had initially opened strongly on the back of lower oil prices and hopes of progress in US-Iran talks. However, investors later booked profits following the release of corporate financial results, erasing most of the early gains.
On Friday, trading remained comparatively steady, with the KSE-100 staying above Thursday’s closing level for most of the morning and moving close to the 177,800-point mark.
Market participants will now monitor the second trading session to determine whether fresh buying can extend the morning gains.
Meanwhile, geopolitical developments, international oil prices and corporate earnings are expected to remain key factors influencing investor sentiment.
