KARACHI, Pakistan – Web Desk: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended losses on Friday as escalating tensions in the Middle East triggered selling pressure. The benchmark KSE-100 index fell 660.98 points, or 0.43%, to close at 152,246.98 points by 9:45 am, down from the previous session’s 152,907.96 points.
The drop followed a strong bearish trend on Thursday, when the KSE-100 lost 5,405.48 points, or 3.41%, amid heightened investor caution over the Iran-US conflict. Trading activity also slowed, with 521.63 million shares exchanged for a value of Rs 27.138 billion, compared to 612.36 million shares valued at Rs 34.597 billion in the previous session.
Among 484 active companies, 71 advanced, 356 declined, and 57 remained unchanged, reflecting widespread market apprehension.
Global oil prices moderated as well, with Brent crude falling 84 cents, or 0.8%, to $107.17 per barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) down $1.02, or 1.1%, at $93.46 per barrel. The decline comes despite Thursday’s rally, when Brent gained 5.7% and WTI 4.6% amid fears of further escalation in the Iran-US conflict.
President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10-day pause on attacks targeting Iran’s energy facilities, coupled with progress in diplomatic talks, helped ease immediate market fears but left investors cautious about the regional geopolitical outlook.
Analysts note that sustained Middle East instability continues to weigh on emerging markets like Pakistan, with oil price volatility directly impacting investor sentiment and trading volumes.
