The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) faced selling pressure on June 26, 2025, ending a two-day rally. The benchmark KSE-100 index closed at 122,046.46, down 715.18 points or 0.58%. Investors engaged in profit-taking after a 6,600-point gain over the prior sessions, driven by an Israel-Iran ceasefire. Consequently, the market shifted from an early high to a notable decline by the close.
Trading began with optimism, extending the bullish momentum from recent days. The KSE-100 hit an intra-day high of 123,418 within the first hour. However, profit-taking soon emerged, pulling the index to a low of 122,142.
According to Arif Habib Limited (AHL), institutional investors squared positions ahead of the FY25 settlement on June 30. As a result, only 27 stocks advanced, while 71 declined, reflecting a bearish sentiment.
Despite the downturn, some sectors showed resilience. Engro Fertilisers rose 2.22%, National Foods surged 8.07%, and Pakistan Petroleum gained 0.79%, boosting the index. Conversely, Bank AL Habib fell 2.84%, Lucky Cement dropped 1.86%, and Habib Bank declined 2.59%, all of which contributed to the market’s decline. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court lifted a Punjab royalty directive, providing a lift to cement stocks. Additionally, Organic Meat Company jumped 5.64% after announcing beef casing exports to Europe, signalling growth potential.
Read: PSX Gains 515 Points as KSE-100 Hits 122,761 Amid Economic Optimism
Trading volume increased to 758.5 million shares from 749.8 million, with a traded value of Rs30 billion. Pakistan International Bulk Terminal led with 37.5 million shares, closing at Rs 8.52 after a loss of Rs 0.06. WorldCall Telecom followed with 33.3 million shares, down Rs0.04 to Rs1.45, and Pervez Ahmed Consultancy gained Rs0.25 to Rs3.29 on 33 million shares. Of 473 stocks traded, 200 rose, 237 fell, and 36 remained unchanged.
The KSE-100 has gained 1.69% week-to-date, with AHL noting 120,000 as a key support level. Investors eye a potential push toward 130,000 in the final session. The ceasefire-driven rally, coupled with domestic boosts like the Supreme Court’s ruling, keeps optimism alive. However, profit-taking highlights market volatility, urging caution as the week comes to a close.
