KEY POINTS
- The KSE-100 Index closed at 161,687.18, down 248.01 points (‑0.15%) from Friday’s 161,935.19.
- Intra-day range: 161,481.68 – 163,602.15; total trading volume: 521.4 million shares.
- Year‑to‑date gain: +40.44%; 12‑month return: +70.62%.
- Broad buying interest seen across automobiles, banking, fertiliser, OMCs, exploration & production, and power sectors.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened on a strong note on Monday, with the KSE‑100 surging to an intra‑day high of 163,602.15 before profit‑taking pushed it down to a low of 161,481.68.
The closing decline reflected rising caution among investors, despite a heavy volume day. Large‑cap names including ARL, MARI, OGDC, POL, PPL, PSO, SNGPL, SSGC, MCB, MEBL, and UBL contributed to early gains, but many gave up momentum in the second half of the session.
Investor focus remained on the fertiliser sector, following reports that the Economic Coordination Committee approved a shift from RLNG to Mari gas — a decision expected to reduce subsidy burdens and help stabilise urea prices.
In addition, automobile assemblers and commercial banks continued to see healthy participation.
On the macro front, the strong year‑to‑date performance — a 40.44% gain — underlines sustained investor confidence.
Over the past 12 months, the index has jumped 70.62%, reflecting a broader confidence in Pakistan’s equity markets.
Globally, Asian markets traded somewhat cautiously on Monday as investors awaited key US economic data and corporate earnings.
Meanwhile, S&P 500 futures were modestly higher, and market participants kept a close eye on interest rate expectations and geopolitical developments for further direction.
