KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) started the week on a bearish note Monday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East triggered widespread selling, dragging the benchmark KSE-100 Index below the 180,000-point mark amid heightened investor concerns over regional stability.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index declined by 2,314.73 points, or 1.27 percent, to close at 179,927.05 points compared to the previous close of 182,241.78 points. During the session, the index touched an intraday high of 181,148.27 points and a low of 179,448.52 points.
Business Recorder indices mirrored the broader market weakness. The BRIndex100 closed at 19,765.19 points, down 299.74 points, or 1.49 percent, with total volume of 642.90 million shares. The BRIndex30 lost 1,248.14 points, or 1.69 percent, to close at 72,485.63 points on turnover of 444.14 million shares.
Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, said the PSX witnessed a negative session as escalating geopolitical tensions weighed heavily on investor sentiment. He noted that the exchange of strikes between US and Iranian forces heightened uncertainty, prompting investors to trim their positions and adopt a risk-off stance.
He said UBL, MEBL, FFC, HUBC, Lucky Cement, Engro Holdings, PPL, National Bank of Pakistan, Mari Energies and MCB Bank emerged as the top laggards, collectively erasing 1,295 points from the benchmark index.
According to Najib, market direction in the coming sessions is expected to remain dependent on developments on the geopolitical front, with signs of de-escalation likely to improve investor confidence while any further escalation could keep volatility elevated.
Trading activity in the ready market weakened as investors remained cautious. Ready market turnover declined to 845.28 million shares from 948.78 million shares in the previous session, while traded value fell to Rs35.55 billion from Rs38.41 billion.
Market capitalization of the ready market decreased by more than Rs213 billion to Rs20.290 trillion from Rs20.503 trillion.
Market breadth remained firmly negative. Of the 497 companies traded on the ready counter, 128 advanced, 335 declined and 34 remained unchanged.
Among the most actively traded stocks, Cnergyico PK led the volume chart with 158.52 million shares, closing higher at Rs10.05. It was followed by First National Equities with 64.23 million shares, which ended at Rs1.26, and Blue-Ex Limited with 43.87 million shares, closing unchanged at Rs8.60.
Among the gainers, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited rose by Rs201.34 to close at Rs2,282.89, while PIA Holding Company Limited (B) gained Rs123.68 to settle at Rs17,801.01. On the losing side, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited declined by Rs445.00 to close at Rs25,268.00, while Sapphire Textile Mills Limited fell Rs64.04 to Rs1,436.85.
Sector-wise, the BR Commercial Banks Index declined 828.52 points, or 1.30 percent, to 62,748.87 points on turnover of 45.83 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index dropped 511.84 points, or 1.77 percent, to 28,474.88 points with 41.39 million shares traded.
The BR Cement Index fell 273.40 points, or 2.10 percent, to close at 12,776.71 points on turnover of 41.08 million shares. The BR Oil and Gas Index lost 143.98 points, or 0.93 percent, to settle at 15,315.45 points with 34.73 million shares traded.
The BR Tech & Communication Index shed 56.80 points, or 1.47 percent, to 3,807.95 points on turnover of 55.80 million shares, while the BR Automobile Assembler Index eased 110.74 points, or 0.45 percent, to close at 24,228.96 points with volume of 5.32 million shares.
Analysts said the market is likely to remain sensitive to developments in the Middle East, with investor sentiment expected to fluctuate in line with geopolitical news flow. Any easing in tensions could help restore confidence, while further escalation may continue to weigh on equities in the near term.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026