Key Points
- Benchmark KSE-100 Index closes at 166,553.27, down 793.56 points or 0.47%
- Market range: High 168,163.21 | Low 166,230.89
- Volume: 1.568 billion shares, Value: Rs 55.07 billion, Trades: 489,471
- Breadth: 203 gainers, 232 losers, 41 unchanged
KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a volatile session on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index slipping by 793.56 points or 0.47 percent to close at 166,553.27, as investors opted for profit-taking after consecutive sessions of gains.
According to data on the PSX Data Portal, the index touched an intraday high of 168,163.21 and a low of 166,230.89 before settling in negative territory. Market turnover stood at 1.568 billion shares, while the aggregate traded value clocked in at Rs 55.07 billion across 489,471 transactions, official figures showed.
Top traded names drove the session
Retail-heavy counters dominated trading, with K-Electric Ltd, WorldCall Telecom, and TPL Properties leading the volume chart. Analysts quoted by Business Recorder noted that investors largely preferred small-cap stocks while heavyweights in banking, cement, and energy sectors faced profit-taking pressure.
Drivers and underlying sentiment
Market participants told The Express Tribune that the recent advance in the benchmark index prompted institutional investors to realize profits, while uncertainty surrounding upcoming monetary policy and inflation data dampened sentiment. They added that selective buying continued in exploration and technology scrips, but broader participation remained thin.
Regional and global linkages
Asian equities traded mixed on Wednesday, offering little guidance to local investors. Global oil prices stayed range-bound, providing limited traction to energy shares. According to analysts cited by Arab News, investors worldwide maintained a cautious tone amid speculation about delayed rate cuts by major central banks, which influenced risk appetite in emerging markets including Pakistan.
Outlook
Analysts expect the KSE-100 to consolidate within the 165,500–167,000 zones with potential support emerging from corporate earnings announcements. “The market remains in a corrective phase after its recent rally, but value hunting could resume once clarity emerges on macro indicators,” a senior trader told Business Recorder.
International markets and local currency
Global equities traded without clear direction, as investors assessed mixed earnings from US corporations and signals from the European Central Bank.
