KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a range-bound and subdued trading session on Monday as persistent geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran dampened investor sentiment, prompting cautious participation and dragging the benchmark indices lower despite selective sectoral gains.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 170,506.31 points, shedding 609.51 points or 0.36 percent from the previous close of 171,115.82 points. The market remained volatile throughout the session, with the benchmark moving between an intraday high of 171,304.11 points and an intraday low of 169,583.45 points, reflecting investor caution amid heightened regional uncertainty.
The BRIndex100 closed at 18,735.43 points, down by 120.32 points or 0.64 percent from the previous close, with total traded volume standing at 855.28 million shares. BRIndex30 settled at 68,054.50 points, down by 74.87 points or 0.11 percent, while total turnover stood at 697.65 million shares.
According to Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, the PSX witnessed a range-bound session as market momentum remained subdued amid persistent geopolitical tensions, with aggressive rhetoric from both US and Iranian officials heightening concerns regarding further escalation in the region.
He noted that heavyweight stocks including UBL, LUCK, ENGROH, MEBL, NBP, HUBC, FCCL, FFC, MARI and BOP led the decline and collectively shaved around 667 points off the benchmark index.
Despite the subdued market tone, trading activity remained robust as investors maintained interest in selected counters. Total turnover in the ready market surged to 1.103 billion shares compared to 1.025 billion shares traded in the previous session. However, traded value in the regular market dropped sharply to Rs31.04 billion from Rs36.67 billion recorded a day earlier.
Meanwhile, overall market capitalization declined by Rs33.47 billion to Rs18.870 trillion compared to Rs18.903 trillion in the previous session, indicating mild erosion in investor wealth amid pressure on index heavyweights.
Market breadth remained mixed but slightly positive in the ready market. Out of a total of 488 traded companies, 234 advanced, 215 declined and 39 remained unchanged.
Among actively traded stocks in the ready market, K-Electric Limited remained the volume leader with turnover of 376.83 million shares and closed sharply higher at Rs8.95. Agha Steel Industries followed with turnover of 51.88 million shares and closed at Rs8.91. Cnergyico PK traded 47.39 million shares and settled at Rs8.66.
On the gainers’ table, Nestle Pakistan Limited surged by Rs230.52 to close at Rs7,731.58, while PIA Holding Company Limited B gained Rs130.94 to settle at Rs19,400.00. On the losing side, Shahmurad Sugar Mills Limited fell by Rs24.52 to close at Rs395.17, while Hafiz Limited declined by Rs16.01 to settle at Rs415.00.
Ali Najib said that going forward, developments between the US and Iran would remain a key catalyst for market direction. While no formal schedule for negotiations has yet been confirmed, he noted that ongoing diplomatic engagement and backchannel contacts suggest talks are likely to continue in the near term, keeping investors sensitive to geopolitical headlines.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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