KARACHI: Investor sentiment remained bearish at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday, as uncertainty surrounding ongoing US-Iran negotiations weighed on market confidence amid heightened geopolitical tensions and lack of clarity over a potential breakthrough.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index declined by 1,576.48, or 0.91 percent, to close at 171,579.31 points down from 173,155.79 points in the previous session. The market experienced notable swings during the day, with the index reaching an intraday high of 173,452 points and a low of 171,254 points, reflecting cautious investor sentiment in light of escalating geopolitical tensions.
On Wednesday, BRIndex100 opened at 19,158.60 points and closed at 18,996.94 points, which was 161.66 points or 0.84 percent lower than previous close. Total volume at BRIndex was 814.196 million. BRIndex30 also declined by 1,401.66 points to settle at 69,103.93 points down from 70,505.59 points with total volume of 465.398 million shares.
The market capitalization fell by Rs 202 billion to Rs 18.971 trillion. Out of 486 actives scrips, 141 closed in positive and 303 in negative while the value of 42 stocks remained unchanged.
Key index constituents, including UBL, LUCK, PPL, HBL, and OGDC, remained under sustained selling pressure, collectively eroding 762 points from the benchmark. Trading activity was relatively subdued, with total volumes clocking in at 1,054 million shares and a turnover of Rs. 37.2 billion. UNITY topped the volume chart, with 133 million shares traded. Cnergyico PK ranked second with 77.182 million shares and closed at Rs 8.23, followed by WorldCall Telecom that closed at Rs 1.38 with share trading of 56.31 million shares.
Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited and Khyber Textile Mills Limited
were the top gainers increasing by Rs 90.49 and Rs 34.76 respectively to close at Rs 1,015.7 and Rs 1,666.61,while PIA Holding Company LimitedB and Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited were the top losers declining by Rs 599.49 and Rs 93.93 respectively to close at Rs 17,421.80 and Rs 9,410.13.
Analysts said that range-bound activity was observed at the PSX, with the index largely remaining in the bearish zone as investors stayed cautious amid uncertainty surrounding US-Iran negotiations, despite the announcement of a ceasefire extension.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index settled at 25,918.06 points, down 501.54 points or 1.9 percent, with a total turnover of 3.61 million shares. The BR Cement Index also recorded a notable decline, closing at 11,619.93points, shedding 298.28 points or 2.5 percent, as trading volume stood at 26.41 million shares.
Similarly, the BR Commercial Banks Index fell by 771.61 points, or 1.3 percent, to end at 58,655.32points, with a turnover of 68.84 million shares. In contrast, the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index was the sole gainer, rising 223.41 points, or 0.78 percent, to close at 28,865.38 points, with a total turnover of 71.52 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index dropped 116.85 points, or 0.77 percent, to close at 15,044.46points, registering a volume of 65.60 million shares, while the BR Tech & Communication Index declined by 36.33 points, or 0.97 percent, to settle at 3,692.33points, with a turnover of 86.63 million shares.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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