The Pakistan Stock Exchange ended Friday’s trading session on a strong note as the benchmark KSE-100 Index surged to 189,166.82 points, registering a robust gain of 1,478.66 points or 0.79%. The rally was largely fueled by heavy buying in fertilizer stocks, which dominated index-point contributions and offset weakness in selected banking and cement names.

Market volatility remained elevated throughout the session, with the index fluctuating within a wide range of 2,929.07 points. The benchmark touched an intraday high of 189,566.64 points, while the day’s low was recorded at 186,637.57 points, reflecting active trading and sector rotation.

Total traded volume in the KSE-100 Index stood at 407.93 million shares. Market breadth, however, remained mixed as 36 index stocks closed higher, while 64 ended in negative territory, indicating that gains were concentrated in a handful of heavyweight sectors.

The rally was led by fertilizer and energy-related stocks. Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC) emerged as the largest contributor to index gains, followed by Engro Fertilizers (EFERT), Pakistan Oilfields (POL), Hub Power Company (HUBC), and Engro Holdings. Strong investor interest in these stocks helped lift the benchmark despite broader market weakness.

On the downside, selling pressure in selected cement, banking, and energy stocks weighed on overall sentiment. Pioneer Cement (PIOC), Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDC), United Bank (UBL), National Bank (NBP), and Pakistan Petroleum (PPL) were among the major drags on the index.

Sector-wise analysis highlighted Fertilizer as the standout performer, contributing the bulk of index gains. Additional support came from Investment Banks & Securities, Power Generation & Distribution, Leather & Tanneries, and Automobile Parts & Accessories. Conversely, losses were recorded in Cement, Commercial Banks, Technology & Communication, Pharmaceuticals, and Oil & Gas Marketing Companies, which limited broader participation.

In the wider market, the All-Share Index closed at 112,809.65 points, posting a modest gain of 181.96 points or 0.16%. Overall market activity improved, with total traded value rising to Rs58.59 billion, while cumulative volume stood at 877.56 million shares.

A total of 478 companies participated in trading, of which 175 closed higher, 264 closed lower, and 39 remained unchanged, reflecting selective accumulation amid ongoing volatility.

Despite short-term fluctuations, the broader trend remains firmly positive. The KSE-100 Index has now advanced 63,540 points (50.58%) during the ongoing fiscal year, while posting a gain of 15,112 points (8.68%) in the calendar year to date, underscoring sustained long-term investor confidence in the market.