KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), which opened Wednesday on a firmer note with the KSE‑100 Index gaining 157 points in early trade, slipped sharply by mid‑day as selling pressure overwhelmed initial optimism. By 2:05 p.m., the benchmark index had plunged 2,264 points, or 1.36 percent, to 166,148.19.
The broader All‑Share Index fell 1,362 points to 99,478.76, while the KSE‑30 dropped 849 points to 50,141.34. The KMI‑30 slid 3,097 points to 238,736.86, and the Banking Index tumbled 953 points, or 2.06 percent, to 46,387.20, underscoring sector‑wide weakness.
Trading activity remained heavy, with 758.9 million shares changing hands in 333,759 transactions, generating a value of Rs26.42 billion.
Out of 560 active symbols, 133 advanced, 343 declined, and 84 remained unchanged, reflecting a market overwhelmingly tilted toward losses.
Analysts noted that the morning’s modest gains reflected bargain‑hunting after Tuesday’s rout, but sentiment quickly reversed as concerns over inflationary pressures, rising global oil prices, and uncertainty surrounding external inflows resurfaced.
https://archive.mmnews.tv/psx-opens-firm-as-kse-100-gains-157-points/
“The early uptick proved unsustainable, with investors retreating once again in the face of policy ambiguity and external shocks,” a brokerage report observed.
Traders highlighted that the banking sector’s steep fall signals liquidity worries, while declines in industrial and energy counters point to broader economic stress. Market watchers cautioned that unless clarity emerges on monetary policy and IMF program inflows, equities are likely to remain volatile despite occasional rebounds.
