Energy Stocks Dominate KMI-30 Session as Index Ends in Red

The KMI-30 Index closed lower on February 17, 2026, at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, reflecting investor caution amid sectoral divergence. The index dropped 1,015.13 points to settle at 245,363.66, marking a 0.41 percent decline.
Trading commenced at 246,970.63 points, and the benchmark briefly climbed to 248,468.77 points in early deals. However, sustained selling pressure in oil marketing and fertilizer stocks reversed the gains, dragging the index to an intraday low of 243,199.60 points before stabilizing.
The primary drag came from Pakistan State Oil, which alone shaved over 600 points off the index. Engro Holdings and Meezan Bank followed closely among the major laggards. Fauji Fertilizer Company and Lucky Cement also weighed heavily, underscoring weakness in industrial and banking counters.
Conversely, Oil and Gas Development Company provided significant support, contributing over 500 points. Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Mari Petroleum also remained in positive territory, reflecting investor preference for exploration and production stocks amid stable commodity expectations.
The session recorded index constituent volumes of 125.15 million shares, suggesting continued investor engagement despite volatility. Analysts highlighted that the market is currently adjusting to evolving domestic and international economic signals.
While the calendar year-to-date return stands at negative 1.28 percent, the fiscal year-to-date growth of 32.71 percent demonstrates that the broader trend remains constructive. Market participants believe that periodic corrections are healthy for sustaining long-term rallies.
Looking ahead, traders are expected to monitor upcoming corporate results and macroeconomic data for directional cues. The Pakistan Stock Exchange continues to reflect a dynamic environment where sector rotation and profit-taking are shaping daily performance.