KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange ended Wednesday’s session on a negative note as investors remained cautious amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and volatility in global energy markets.
The KSE-100 Index closed at 155,858.48 points, registering a decline of 318.64 points or 0.20 percent compared with the previous close of 156,177.12 points.
The benchmark index witnessed significant intraday volatility, touching a high of 158,624.51 points during early trading before profit-taking and cautious sentiment dragged it down to an intraday low of 155,652.35 points.
The BRIndex100 closed at 17,608.28 points, which was 8.94 points or 0.05 percent higher than the previous close, with total volume recorded at 361.74 million shares. The BRIndex30 ended the session at 61,650.13 points, registering an increase of 33.25 points or 0.05 percent, while total volume stood at approximately 249.65 million shares.
According to Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, the market experienced a mixed trading session characterized by notable volatility, cautious investor sentiment, and intermittent profit-taking.
Najib noted that select blue-chip stocks provided partial support to the market during the session. He said that Engro Holdings, Bank AL Habib, Askari Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, and Adamjee Insurance collectively contributed around 725 points to the index during the session, helping limit the overall decline.
However, gains in these stocks were largely offset by selling pressure in several heavyweight companies, particularly within the banking and energy sectors. According to Najib, United Bank Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Oil and Gas Development Company, Meezan Bank, and Mari Petroleum exerted downward pressure on the benchmark index, collectively erasing around 634 points from the market.
The decline in exploration and production companies was particularly notable as investors evaluated the potential implications of rising geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit chokepoint, which has heightened concerns about possible supply disruptions.
Trading activity in the Ready Market remained robust despite the cautious sentiment. A total of 441.88 million shares were traded during the session, while the total traded value stood at approximately Rs24.98 billion, reflecting continued participation from both institutional and retail investors.
Among the most actively traded stocks, Bank of Punjab led the volume chart with around 37.7 million shares changing hands, closing at Rs27.97 per share. K-Electric followed closely with 37.6 million shares traded, ending the session at Rs7.49.
Market participants attributed the activity in K-Electric partly to investor reaction following recent government announcements regarding energy conservation measures aimed at managing fuel consumption and stabilizing energy supplies.
In the list of price movers, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited emerged among the top gainers, with its share price rising by Rs132.20 to close at Rs25,255.00. Ismail Industries Limited also recorded strong gains, advancing by Rs66.71 to settle at Rs2,193.33. On the downside, Nestle Pakistan Limited declined by Rs85.01 to close at Rs7,814.28, while Rafhan Maize Products Company lost Rs66.86, ending the session at Rs8,233.14.
Sector-wise BR indices reflected a mixed performance. The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 23,664.85 points, recording a decline of 127.19 points or 0.53 percent, with total turnover of 1.74 million shares. The BR Cement Index settled at 10,398.39 points, down 44.44 points or 0.43 percent, with a trading volume of 27.78 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index managed to post a slight gain, closing at 53,776.71 points, up 30.69 points or 0.06 percent, with total turnover reaching 61.96 million shares. Meanwhile, the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index ended the session at 26,155.93 points, registering a decline of 210.63 points or 0.80 percent, with trading volume of 70.24 million shares.
Similarly, the BR Oil and Gas Index settled at 13,736.16 points, reflecting a drop of 251.83 points or 1.80 percent, with total turnover recorded at 39.74 million shares.
The BR Technology and Communication Index also closed lower at 3,124.41 points, declining by 24.93 points or 0.79 percent, while total trading volume reached 58.54 million shares.
Looking ahead, analysts believe the market may remain volatile in the short term as investors closely monitor geopolitical developments and global commodity markets.
According to Ali Najib, if geopolitical stability improves, the market’s positive momentum could extend into the next trading session.
However, he emphasized that investors are likely to remain cautious and vigilant, closely watching external developments that could influence market direction.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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