KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange suffered another dramatic sell-off on Monday as panic-driven liquidation gripped the market, triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions, uncertainty surrounding the upcoming IMF review, and cautious expectations from the ongoing corporate earnings season.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 167,691.08 points, shedding 5,478.63 points or 3.16 percent from its previous close of 173,169.71 points. The index touched an intraday high of 174,336.86 points before sliding to a low of 166,886.63 points, reflecting heightened volatility and sustained selling pressure throughout the session.
The BRIndex100 closed at 18,573.13 points, down 740.95 points or 3.84 percent compared to the previous close. Total volume in BRIndex100 stood at 355.15 million shares. Similarly, the BRIndex30 closed at 65,986.53 points, marking a decline of 3,312.94 points or 4.78 percent. Total traded volume in BRIndex30 amounted to 261.99 million shares.
Commenting on the session, Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, described the day as a “meltdown,” noting that the PSX commenced the week on a distinctly negative note, marking the fourth-largest single-day decline in its history.
He pointed out that the benchmark breached the key psychological threshold of 170,000 on a closing basis, underscoring heightened market stress.
He said investor sentiment remained fragile amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, uncertainty surrounding the upcoming IMF review, and mixed expectations from the corporate earnings season.
According to him, LUCK, FFC, ENGROH, UBL, MEBL, MARI, NBP, HUBC, and PPL were the major laggards, collectively eroding 2,837 points from the index.
Overall market activity in the ready counter remained robust, with total turnover recorded at 461.26 million shares compared to 537.65 million shares in the previous session. The traded value in the regular market rose to Rs24.94 billion from Rs23.79 billion, indicating strong participation despite widespread declines.
Market capitalization in the regular market contracted sharply to Rs18.97 trillion from Rs19.60 trillion in the previous session, translating into a loss of approximately Rs631.15 billion in a single day.
Market breadth remained overwhelmingly negative. Out of 479 companies traded in the ready market, only 42 closed higher, 389 declined, and 48 remained unchanged.
Among volume leaders in the ready market, K-Electric Limited topped the chart with 36.06 million shares, closing at Rs7.66. WorldCall Telecom followed with 33.67 million shares, settling at Rs1.32, while The Bank of Punjab recorded a turnover of 26.67 million shares and closed at Rs30.19.
On the gaining side, S.S. Oil Mills Limited rose by Rs51.24 to close at Rs563.62, and Pakistan Engineering Company Limited gained Rs22.10 to settle at Rs617.45. Conversely, PIA Holding Company LimitedB plunged by Rs361.50 to Rs16,495.50, while Sapphire Textile Mills Limited declined by Rs134.19 to close at Rs1,239.00.
Sector-wise, the BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 25,871.35 points, down 764.60 points or 2.87 percent, with a total turnover of 4.16 million shares. The BR Cement Index ended at 11,810.03 points, registering a decline of 606.49 points or 4.88 percent on a turnover of 21.48 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index settled at 58,592.14 points, down 1,748.35 points or 2.90 percent, with a traded volume of 51.07 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index closed at 26,652.69 points, losing 967.16 points or 3.50 percent, as 56.98 million shares changed hands.
The BR Oil and Gas Index dropped 478.29 points or 3.32 percent to close at 13,920.57 points, with a turnover of 27.93 million shares. Meanwhile, the BR Tech & Communication Index ended at 3,535.53 points, down 159.40 points or 4.31 percent, on a volume of 74.72 million shares.
On the outlook, Najib observed that the 170,000 level had been comprehensively broken and that 165,000 now stands as the next key support level, with the market’s reaction around that zone likely to determine near-term direction.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026