KEY POINTS
- Benchmark index closes lower on profit-taking
- Over 1.66bn shares change hands across the bourse
- Energy, transport among most active sectors
- Analysts cite caution ahead of key economic data
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed lower on Monday as investors booked profits after last week’s gains, with trading marked by heavy volumes in energy and transport stocks.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 157,554.66 points, down 482.71 points or 0.31 per cent, according to data released by the PSX.
The total turnover stood at more than 1.66 billion shares with a total value of Rs 60.9 billion, while 483 companies remained active. Out of these, 209 closed higher, 252 finished lower, and 22 were unchanged, the bourse summary showed. Market capitalisation also edged down, reflecting the index’s decline.
Among the volume leaders, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and K-Electric attracted significant investor interest, while trading in WorldCall Telecom remained heavy on the retail side.
On the gainers’ board, Secure Logistics and Crescent Star Insurance posted strong advances. In contrast, SIBL, FPJM and JKSM were among the notable laggards.
Analysts in Karachi told KSEStocks that the session was dominated by profit-taking as participants awaited clarity on inflation numbers and interest rate policy. “Investors are wary of building large positions until macroeconomic indicators become clearer,” one equity dealer was quoted as saying.
Internationally, Trading Economics reported that Pakistan’s market weakness on Monday mirrored broader trends in emerging equities, as investors stayed cautious ahead of US inflation data due this week.
Global analysts have also noted that any hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve could weigh further on merging markets, including Pakistan.
