KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) suffered a heavy sell-off on Monday as intense and broad-based selling stocks dragged benchmark indices sharply lower, wiping out significant market value amid deteriorating investor sentiment and heightened risk aversion.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index recorded a steep fall of 5,149.79 points, or 2.87 percent, to close at 174,453.94 points, compared with the previous close of 179,603.73 points. The index remained under pressure throughout the session, touching an intraday high of 179,969.23 points before sliding to a low of 173,574.26 points, reflecting sustained selling pressure and weak investor confidence.
On Monday, performance across the Business Recorder indices reflected the intensity of selling pressure witnessed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, with sharp losses recorded across all major sectors amid heavy volumes.
The BRIndex100 closed at 19,640.41 points, marking a steep decline of 684.63 points, or 3.37 percent, compared to the previous close while total turnover stood at 591.60 million shares. Similarly, the BRIndex30 closed at 70,651.13 points, registering a sharp fall of 3,385.35 points, or 4.57 percent, on a total volume of 434.76 million shares.
According to Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, the session amounted to a “bloodbath” for equities, with the KSE-100 now down 9.49 percent from its January 2026 peak of 191,000 points, signaling a meaningful market correction.
He said the sharp sell-off was driven by a combination of profit-taking, lingering concerns surrounding the Barrick-related security review narrative, a seasonal Ramazan slowdown in cyclical stocks, fading expectations of a near-term interest-rate cut, geopolitical uncertainties, and an underwhelming corporate earnings season, all of which weighed heavily on investor sentiment.
Najib added that selling pressure remained pronounced in index heavyweights including UBL, ENGROH, FFC, HBL, BAHL, OGDC, MEBL, NBP, LUCK, and HUBC, which collectively contributed significantly to the index’s steep decline.
Investor wealth eroded sharply during the session. Total market capitalization declined to Rs19.78 trillion, down from Rs20.36 trillion in the previous session, translating into a loss of approximately Rs578 billion in a single day.
Despite the negative close, trading activity remained elevated, indicating panic-driven selling. Ready Market turnover rose to 773.29 million shares, compared with 708.97 million shares previously, while traded value increased to Rs46.24 billion, from Rs38.89 billion in the prior session.
Market breadth remained decisively negative. In the Ready Market, 65 stocks advanced, while 378 declined and 44 remained unchanged, out of 487 traded companies.
Trading volumes were heavily concentrated in power, banking, steel and telecom stocks. K-Electric Limited topped the volume chart with 63.83 million shares, closing lower at Rs8.13. WorldCall Telecom followed with 62.24 million shares, closing at Rs1.53, while Bank of Punjab recorded 56.17 million shares, ending at Rs33.25.
On the gainers’ board, S.S. Oil Mills Limited advanced Rs47.34 to close at Rs520.77, while Service Industries Limited gained Rs25.11 to Rs1850.01. On the losing side, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited plunged Rs579.33 to Rs26675.17, while PIA Holding Company Limited (B) shed Rs355.99 to close at Rs18339.00, reflecting heavy selling in high-priced stocks.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 27,063.38 points, shedding 907.91 points, or 3.25 percent, with a turnover of 3.83 million shares. The BR Cement Index declined by 344.51 points, or 2.63 percent, to close at 12,772.54 points, on volumes of 26.80 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index recorded one of the steepest sectoral declines, falling 2,641.74 points, or 4.25 percent, to close at 59,531.10 points, with a total turnover of 93.60 million shares, underscoring heavy selling in major banking stocks.
The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index dropped 756.35 points, or 2.64 percent, to close at 27,888.97 points, on volumes of 102.66 million shares. The BR Oil and Gas Index fell 438.19 points, or 2.92 percent, to 14,592.22 points, with a turnover of 55.44 million shares, reflecting sustained selling pressure in exploration and energy names.
Meanwhile, the BR Technology and Communication Index closed sharply lower at 3,784.24 points, down 153.44 points, or 3.90 percent, with a notably high turnover of 151.19 million shares, indicating aggressive offloading in select technology stocks.
Ali Najib said the sharp decline has pushed the market decisively below the 175,000 level, weakening the near-term technical structure. He identified the 172,000–170,000 range as the next key support zone, while 180,000 points has now emerged as immediate resistance for any potential recovery.
Overall, Monday’s session reflected a decisive risk-off phase at the PSX, with steep index losses, heavy volumes and sharply negative breadth underscoring fragile investor confidence.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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