Karachi, February 17, 2025 – The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a turbulent trading session on Monday, as the benchmark KSE-100 index fell by 342 points amid fluctuating market sentiment.
The KSE-100 index closed at 111,743 points, down from last Friday’s closing of 112,085 points, marking a 0.30% decline.
According to analysts at Topline Securities Limited, the KSE-100 index experienced significant volatility throughout the session, swinging between gains and losses. The index initially surged to an intraday high, gaining 439 points, but later dipped to a low of 571 points before settling with a net loss of 342 points. This unpredictable movement underscored the market’s sensitivity to investor sentiment and the absence of positive triggers.
The KSE-100 index’s early optimism was short-lived as profit-taking in key sectors led to a late-session sell-off. Analysts attributed the market’s downward trajectory to concerns about macroeconomic stability, coupled with a lack of fresh, positive developments to support sustained growth.
Key contributors to the KSE-100 index’s positive performance included LUCK, BAHL, BOP, UBL, and FATIMA, which collectively added 296 points. However, their gains were overshadowed by losses in MARI, PPL, TRG, SEARL, and OGDC, which pulled the index down by 301 points.
Investor activity was particularly pronounced in the banking sector, where the Bank of Punjab (BOP) garnered attention after announcing its fourth-quarter financial results for FY24. The bank reported an earnings per share (EPS) of Rs 1.67 for the quarter, bringing its full-year EPS to Rs 4.09. Additionally, BOP declared a cash dividend of Rs 1.80 per share, further bolstering investor interest.
Despite the dip in the KSE-100 index, overall market participation remained robust. Trading volume increased, with 510 million shares changing hands, although the total traded value declined to Rs 19.6 billion. BOP led the activity charts, recording 184 million shares traded during the session.
Market observers believe the KSE-100 index will continue to react to macroeconomic indicators and corporate earnings announcements in the coming days. The index’s future performance hinges on investor confidence, potential economic policy adjustments, and global market trends.