KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained volatile on Friday morning, with the benchmark KSE-100 index trading at 152,505.37 points by 11:20am, down 402 points or 0.26 per cent. The index had earlier plunged by more than 1,300 points in early trade before partially recovering.
The broader All-Share Index fell 407 points (0.45pc) to 91,378.45, while the KSE-30 shed 143 points (0.31pc). The KMI-30 also lost 875 points (0.40pc), underscoring persistent selling pressure. The banking index (BKTI), however, managed a marginal gain of 16.96 points (0.04pc).
Market breadth remained negative, with 235 symbols declining against 186 advancing, while 146 remained unchanged out of a total of 567.
In the automobile assembler sector, most counters were in the red. Sazgar Engineering dropped Rs.16.62 to Rs.1,676 on heavy volumes of over 84,000 shares. Ghandhara Automobile fell Rs.8.21 to Rs.334.99, while Honda Atlas Cars slipped Rs.3.69 to Rs.160.5. Hinopak Motors eased Rs.5.01 to Rs.294.99, and Atlas Honda Ltd shed Rs.5.05 to Rs.1,465. Dewan Motors, despite active trading, edged down Rs.0.05 to Rs.15.52.
Indus Motor Company remained largely flat, losing a nominal Rs.0.03 to Rs.1,793.99. Ghandhara Industries and Millat Tractors bucked the trend, posting modest gains of Rs.1.4 and Rs.1.87 respectively. Al-Ghazi Tractors, however, fell Rs.6.07 to Rs.315.
In the automobile parts and accessories segment, Agriautos Industries rose Rs.1.28 to Rs.136, while Atlas Battery added Rs.0.63 to Rs.193.9, offering some respite to the sector.
Market analysts believe the PSX’s trajectory on Friday highlights the fragile investor sentiment that has defined the week. After plunging more than 1,300 points in the morning, the partial recovery by 11:20am suggests bargain-hunting at lower levels, but the advance–decline ratio remains tilted towards losers, underscoring weak confidence.
The auto sector continues to reflect sector-specific stress, with high-volume counters like Sazgar and Ghandhara leading the downturn. Select gains in auto parts stocks point to defensive buying, but overall sentiment remains cautious.
With Wednesday’s rally, Thursday’s correction, and Friday’s steep dip followed by a partial rebound, the week’s pattern is best described as volatile, with investors reluctant to take long positions amid macroeconomic uncertainty and policy concerns.
