KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed lower on Tuesday as profit-taking at higher levels erased an early recovery. The market failed to find fresh triggers to recover Monday’s losses and reverse the broader downward trend witnessed during the previous week.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index declined by 347.97 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 164,776.44 points against 165,124.41 points in the preceding session. During intraday trading, the index touched a high of 166,070.48 points before retreating to a low of 164,773.67 points, ultimately closing just below the 165,000-point level.
Likewise, the BRIndex100 settled at 18,128.42 points, down 34.96 points, or 0.19 percent, from the previous close of 18,163.38 points, with a total volume of 260.636 million shares. The BRIndex30 declined by 238.91 points, or 0.37 percent, to close at 64,598.62 points against 64,837.53 points in the preceding session. Its total volume stood at 122.967 million shares.
Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, noted that the market struggled to find direction during a mixed and volatile session. He said the market opened positively following Monday’s decline and the benchmark index initially climbed, but profit-taking at higher levels curtailed the recovery and pushed the index into negative territory.
On the index contribution front, Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Meezan Bank (MEBL), Fauji Cement (FCCL), Fatima Fertilizer (FATIMA) and AGP Limited collectively contributed 112 points to the index, while Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTC), United Bank Limited (UBL), Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Lucky Cement (LUCK) and Mari Energies (MARI) collectively exerted downward pressure of 343 points.
Ready-market activity increased in volume but weakened in value. Total turnover rose to 383.747 million shares from 362.954 million shares on Monday, an increase of 20.792 million shares, or 5.73 percent.
Despite the higher share volume, the total traded value fell by Rs. 1.403 billion, or 9.67 percent, to Rs. 13.105 billion from Rs. 14.508 billion in the preceding session.
Total market capitalisation decreased by Rs. 33.715 billion to Rs. 18.326 trillion from Rs. 18.359 trillion previously.
Market breadth remained closely balanced between advancing and declining stocks. Of 500 active issues, 226 companies closed lower, 223 advanced and 51 remained unchanged, reflecting the mixed trading pattern despite the benchmark index’s decline.
LSE Financial (R) led ready-market turnover with 32.284 million shares. The stock closed at Rs. 1.03 against the previous close of Rs. 1.19.
Waves Home Appliances followed with 21.848 million shares. The stock settled at Rs. 7.44 compared with Rs. 7.74 previously.
WorldCall Telecom recorded turnover of 19.528 million shares. It closed at Rs. 0.96 against the previous close of Rs. 0.97.
In ready-market price movements, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited emerged as the highest gainer, rising by Rs. 66.97 to close at Rs. 886.99. Fateh Industries Limited followed, gaining Rs. 34.89 to settle at Rs. 383.83.
On the losing side, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited recorded the largest decline, shedding Rs. 235.50 to finish at Rs. 25,027.00. PIA Holding Company LimitedB followed, falling by Rs. 200.00 to close at Rs. 14,000.00.
Sectoral performance was mixed, although losses predominated. The BR Automobile Assembler Index was among the few sectoral indices to advance, gaining 97.03 points, or 0.45 percent, to close at 21,686.56 points, with turnover of 1.624 million shares.
The BR Cement Index edged down by 2.02 points, or 0.02 percent, to settle at 11,269.89 points, with 9.061 million shares traded. The BR Commercial Banks Index declined by 138.35 points, or 0.24 percent, to close at 56,775.76 points, with turnover of 10.375 million shares.
The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index shed 158.72 points, or 0.64 percent, to finish at 24,776.73 points, with 25.705 million shares traded. The BR Oil and Gas Index lost 52.84 points, or 0.36 percent, to settle at 14,607.67 points, with turnover of 14.915 million shares.
The BR Technology and Communication Index recorded the largest percentage decline among the listed sectoral indices, falling by 46.18 points, or 1.46 percent, to close at 3,118.20 points, with 53.602 million shares traded.
Ali Najib expects volatility to persist amid domestic political uncertainty and shifting investor sentiment, with selective value buying potentially providing support. They have advised caution, a focus on fundamentally strong stocks and restraint on aggressive positions until market sentiment stabilises.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments