The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its losing streak for a third consecutive session on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index witnessing sharp fluctuations throughout the day.
Trading opened on a positive note, pushing the index to an intra-day high of 166,947.19. However, selling pressure mounted later, dragging the index to a low of 165,109.84. By the close, the KSE-100 index had dropped 907 points, or 0.55%, to settle at 165,266.75.
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KTrade Securities equity trader Ahmed Sheraz said the decline was driven by investor concerns after the State Bank of Pakistan indicated that a policy rate cut is unlikely at the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. “This unease is further compounded by heightened scrutiny from the International Monetary Fund as part of its ongoing review,” he added.
Heavyweight stocks such as United Bank, Fauji Fertiliser, Lucky Cement, and Mari Energies weighed on the index, while tech stock Systems Limited (SYS) and Bank Alfalah provided some respite.
Market activity remained strong. “Market direction is expected to remain closely tied to geopolitical developments and the outcome of the ongoing IMF review — both will play a critical role in shaping investor sentiment,” Sheraz noted.
Arif Habib Limited (AHL) observed that the market’s failure to regain 167,200 points on Wednesday sets the next area of interest between 163,800 and 164,200 points.
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A total of 33 shares rose, 67 fell, with Systems (+6.11%), Bank Alfalah (+4.04%), and MCB Bank (+1.27%) contributing the most to gains. On the other hand, United Bank (-3.3%), Fauji Fertiliser (-1.48%), and Lucky Cement (-2.67%) were the biggest drags.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that Pakistan’s GDP expanded 3.04% in FY25, while the government projects a 4.2% growth for FY26.
Trading volumes edged up to 1.27 billion shares from Tuesday’s 1.266 billion, with a total value of Rs61.1 billion. Shares of 484 companies changed hands, with 148 closing higher, 297 lower, and 39 remaining unchanged.
PTCL led the volume chart, trading 114.4 million shares, gaining Rs2.23 to close at Rs33.37.