KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened Friday’s session under pressure, with the benchmark KSE‑100 index losing 870 points, or 0.58 per cent, to 151,140.85 by 10:20am. The broader All‑Share Index fell 397 points (0.44pc) to 90,536.71, while the KSE‑30 shed 249 points (0.55pc). The KMI‑30 and BKTI also declined, down 0.32pc and 1.06pc respectively, reflecting cautious sentiment across sectors.
Trading activity remained moderate, with 118.6 million shares changing hands in 75,739 transactions, generating Rs6.97 billion in value. Market breadth tilted negative, with 258 symbols declining against 149 advancing, while 159 remained unchanged out of a total of 566.
Market analysts believe the PSX’s early weakness follows overnight turmoil in global markets after reports that the US Army Chief of Staff was dismissed by the War Secretary — a move widely interpreted as signaling possible escalation and even ground involvement in the Iran conflict. The development rattled Asian bourses, with regional indices opening lower.
Domestically, investors are also reacting to surging petroleum prices, which hit historic highs this week, stoking inflation fears and raising concerns about corporate cost pressures. Analysts said the combination of geopolitical uncertainty and local economic strain has prompted profit‑taking after recent rallies.
While the IMF staff‑level agreement continues to offer medium‑term reassurance, traders expect volatility to persist until clarity emerges on both the global security situation and domestic fuel pricing.
Market observers say that overall, the KSE‑100 index has swung sharply this week — soaring more than 7,400 points at midweek before surrendering much of those gains, leaving investors facing a volatile and unsettled close.
