The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a volatile trading session on Wednesday, closing significantly lower amid investor caution, with widespread selling across key sectors. The benchmark KSE-100 index retreated after a recent strong rally, reflecting a lack of fresh positive triggers in the market.
The market opened positively but failed to sustain early gains. Selling pressure emerged quickly, leading to persistent fluctuations throughout the day. The KSE-100 index moved within a narrow band, reflecting heightened investor nervousness.
By the closing bell, the benchmark index settled at 166,145.35, down 1,496.93 points, or 0.89%. During the session, the index touched an intraday high of 168,160.88 and a low of 166,115.17.
Selling was broad-based, impacting major sectors including:
- Automobile assemblers
- Cement
- Commercial banks
- Fertilizer
- Oil and gas exploration companies
- Oil marketing companies (OMCs)
- Power generation
According to a note from KTrade Securities, the downturn followed a recent strong run that had approached the all-time high recorded in October. The brokerage stated, “The KSE-100 index slipped 1,497 points to close at 166,145. Trading remained largely range-bound, with pressure from Fauji Fertiliser, Meezan Bank, United Bank, Hub Power, and Engro Holdings.”
Read: Analysts Project KSE-100 to Surpass 200,000 Points by 2026
Notable stocks that bucked the downward trend included TRG Pakistan, Oil & Gas Development Company, Pioneer Cement, and Faysal Bank.
Total trading volume decreased to 593 million shares from the previous session’s 775.5 million. The value of shares traded reached Rs44.4 billion. Shares of 473 companies were traded, with 136 advancing, 291 declining, and 46 remaining unchanged. WorldCall Telecom led the volume chart with 78.7 million shares traded, closing at Rs 1.86, up Rs 0.06.
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