ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) and Asian markets saw a positive trend today as tensions in the Middle East showed signs of easing.
On the final trading day of the week, the KSE-100 surged over 2,000 points, reaching 167,844 points at market open.
This comes after the index closed at 165,517 points in the previous session, down by 293 points.
The improving situation in the Middle East also boosted markets across Asia. Japan’s Nikkei Index climbed 2 percent, while Thailand’s SET Index gained 1pc.
Chinese and Hong Kong markets also saw an increase of approximately 1%, reflecting broader regional optimism.
Oil prices climbed on Friday, driven by fresh anxiety over supplies from Saudi Arabia and as tanker traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz remained largely frozen.
Prices were still headed for a loss as nerves eased over a fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, while Israel signalled a potential diplomatic opening, saying it was ready to begin direct talks with Lebanon as soon as possible.
Brent crude futures added 58 cents, or 0.60%, to $96.50 a barrel as of 0338 GMT. West Texas Intermediate futures were up 49 cents, 0.50%, at $98.36 a barrel.
For this week, both contracts have so far lost 11%, the biggest weekly decline since June 2025.
