Pakistan Stock Exchange Sees Continued Bearish Momentum as KSE-100 Index Dips Further
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed another day of downward pressure on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index extending its bearish trend. According to official PSX data, the index lost 384.80 points, marking a decline of 0.20 percent, to settle at 188,202.86 points. This compares unfavorably to the previous trading day's close of 188,587.66 points, reflecting ongoing investor caution in the market.
Trading Volume and Market Capitalisation Show Modest Contraction
During the session, the ready market recorded a trading volume of 749.247 million shares, with a total traded value of Rs53.061 billion. This represents a decrease from the prior session, which saw 870.446 million shares valued at Rs57.197 billion change hands. Consequently, the overall market capitalisation also edged lower, declining to Rs21.147 trillion from Rs21.162 trillion recorded a day earlier.
Mixed Performance Among Active Companies Highlights Market Volatility
Out of the 486 active companies traded in the ready market, the session displayed a mixed bag of performances:
- 160 companies advanced, showing positive momentum.
- 278 companies declined, indicating broader selling pressure.
- 48 companies remained unchanged, reflecting stability in select stocks.
This distribution underscores the volatile nature of the current market environment, where gains were offset by significant losses across various sectors.
Volume Leaders and Top Gainers Versus Losers
In terms of trading activity, K-Electric Limited led the volume chart with 90.164 million shares, followed by Hascol Petroleum with 47.948 million shares and Bank of Punjab with 35.973 million shares. On the positive side, the top gainers included:
- Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which rose by Rs75.77 to close at Rs27,676.00.
- Khyber Textile Mills Limited, which increased by Rs56.35 to settle at Rs1,694.97.
Conversely, the losing side was dominated by:
- PIA Holding Company Limited (B), which declined by Rs234.33 to close at Rs20,769.00.
- Nestle Pakistan Ltd, which fell by Rs69.81 to close at Rs7,900.83.
These movements highlight the selective nature of investor interest, with some stocks bucking the overall bearish trend while others faced sharp declines.
Economic Outlook and Future Projections
Amidst this market activity, the Finance Ministry has expressed optimism, stating that the economic growth momentum is expected to continue into FY2026. This forward-looking perspective suggests that while short-term fluctuations may persist, the broader economic fundamentals could support a recovery in the stock market over the longer term. Investors are advised to monitor key indicators and policy developments closely as they navigate the current bearish phase.
