On March 11, 2025, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) shed 179 points, ending at 114,177.66—a 0.16% dip. Analysts blame thin trading and investor jitters after the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) held the policy rate at 12%.
Persistent inflation, price swings, and external account woes overshadowed a late rally sparked by $3.1 billion in February remittances, up 40% year-on-year. The KSE-100 index saw a rocky day, reflecting cautious sentiment.
The market opened weak, plunging 746 points as SBP’s rate stance defied hopes for a cut despite easing inflation. “This rattled investors,” Topline noted. A mid-session surge, fueled by circular debt clearance buzz, pushed the index up 129 points. Gains from Pakistan State Oil (+6.67%), Pakistan Petroleum (+2.86%), and OGDC (+1.89%) added 425 points, but losses in UBL and Engro Fertilisers (-0.83%) dragged it down by 210.
Read: Pakistan’s Central Bank Holds Policy Rate Steady at 12%
Global equity sell-off tied to U.S. recession fears, a frail rupee, and IMF review doubts further soured the mood. Trading volumes dipped to 318.5 million shares from 324.7 million, with Rs22.9 billion in value. Of 438 stocks traded, 132 rose, 233 fell, and 73 held steady. The cement and banking sectors faced heavy selling, capping the PSX’s recovery.
