The benchmark KSE-100 Index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange traded between a high of 153,943.69, gaining 77.53 points or 0.05%, and a low of 151,471.37, falling 2,394.79 points or 1.56%, compared to the previous close of 153,866.16.
Huzaifa Riaz, Director at Mayari Securities (Pvt) Limited, said market sentiment remained negative as the US-Iran conflict continued without any visible signs of easing. He added that the market is likely to take cues from geopolitical developments, and any indication of de-escalation could help restore investor confidence.
Global oil markets also remained volatile. Oil prices hovered near $100 per barrel as diplomats attempted to secure safe passage for tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route.
Brent crude rose to as high as $106.50 before trimming gains, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) hovered around $99 after US President Donald Trump said American forces had struck military targets on Kharg Island. He warned that attacks could expand to energy infrastructure if Tehran interfered with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iran’s Fars News Agency later reported that no oil infrastructure had been damaged.
Asian stock markets showed mixed performance amid energy-crisis concerns. Markets in Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Wellington, Manila and Jakarta declined, while Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei recorded modest gains.
Research firm AKD Research said the Pakistan Stock Exchange would likely remain heavily influenced by developments in the Middle East. It warned that further escalation could maintain selling pressure, while any diplomatic breakthrough could trigger a meaningful recovery.
The firm noted that the recent correction had pushed the forward price-to-earnings ratio to 6.6 times, which it described as attractive for investors.
Meanwhile, analysts at Arif Habib Limited said the KSE-100 Index was trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.7 times and offering a dividend yield of around 6.6%.
Over the past week, the benchmark index lost 3,630 points, or 2.3%, closing at 153,866 on Friday. In the previous session, the KSE-100 ended at 153,866.16, down 555.27 points or 0.36% from 154,421.43.
