KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and persistent concerns over rising international crude oil prices triggered widespread risk-off sentiment and prompted investors to reduce exposure to blue-chip and cyclical stocks.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 174,429.93 points, losing 1,703.64 points or 0.97 percent from the previous close of 176,133.57 points. During the session, the index touched an intraday high of 176,255.64 points before falling to a low of 174,104.07 points as selling intensified.
Business Recorder’s benchmark indices also reflected the bearish mood. The BRIndex100 closed at 19,135.10 points, down 224.16 points or 1.16 percent, with a turnover of 611.86 million shares. Meanwhile, the BRIndex30 ended at 69,270.83 points, shedding 696.89 points or one percent, with total turnover of 330.75 million shares.
According to Topline Securities, the benchmark KSE-100 Index extended its decline as broad-based selling gripped the market amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over higher global oil prices. Investor sentiment remained fragile throughout the session as escalating tensions in the Middle East continued to fuel uncertainty over global energy prices and inflation, overshadowing positive cues from international equity markets.
The brokerage noted that sustained gains in crude oil prices raised concerns over Pakistan’s external account and inflation outlook, prompting investors to trim positions in cyclical sectors.
On the index contribution front, UBL, FFC, ENGROH, HUBC and LUCK were the major laggards, collectively dragging the benchmark index down by around 776 points.
Overall market activity also weakened. Ready market volume declined to 695.70 million shares from 1.003 billion shares traded in the previous session, while traded value fell to Rs25.40 billion from Rs35.70 billion. Ready market capitalization shrank by more than Rs164.5 billion to Rs19.626 trillion compared to Rs19.790 trillion a day earlier.
Market breadth remained overwhelmingly negative. Out of 493 companies traded on the ready market, only 108 advanced while 353 declined and 32 remained unchanged.
Trust Brokerage emerged as the volume leader on the ready counter with 134.17 million shares, closing at Rs2.41. Cnergyico Pakistan followed with 99.43 million shares, ending lower at Rs9.88, while TPL Properties with 49.83 million shares, closing at Rs13.39.
Among individual stocks, Thal Industries Corporation posted the highest gain in absolute terms, rising Rs95.31 to close at Rs1,048.37 per share, while PIA Holding Company Limited (B) advanced Rs92.67 to Rs17,600.00 per share.
On the downside, Khairpur Sugar Mills fell Rs151.59 to Rs1,364.30 per share, while Siemens (Pakistan) Engineering declined Rs60.44 to Rs1,473.55 per share.
Selling pressure was visible across all major Business Recorder sectoral indices. The BR Tech & Communication Index recorded the steepest percentage decline, falling 50.25 points, or 1.36 percent, to close at 3,642.73 points with a turnover of 49.77 million shares. The BR Cement Index lost 154.41 points, or 1.24 percent, to settle at 12,273.94 points on volumes of 49.83 million shares.
The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index declined 319.36 points, or 1.15 percent, to 27,564.46 points with turnover of 28.33 million shares, while the BR Commercial Banks Index slipped 577.42 points, or 0.94 percent, to close at 61,076.05 points on 41.79 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index fell 114.64 points, or 0.78 percent, to 14,641.59 points with turnover of 30.93 million shares. The BR Automobile Assembler Index also ended lower, shedding 80.95 points, or 0.34 percent, to close at 23,440.25 points with trading volume of 1.79 million shares.
Going forward, it said market direction would remain closely linked to developments in the Middle East, international oil prices and domestic macroeconomic and policy announcements. Until greater clarity emerges, volatility is likely to persist, with investors maintaining a cautious and selective approach.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026