Pakistan stocks decline amid geopolitical uncertainty and pressure on heavyweight shares
The benchmark KSE-100 Index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) fell 2.29% on Monday, shedding 3,791 points as elevated international crude oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty weighed heavily on investor sentiment.
The index closed at 161,805.02 points compared with the previous close of 165,596.07 points.
KSE-100 remains under pressure
During the trading session, the market remained volatile, with the benchmark index touching an intraday low of 161,613.51 points after falling nearly 3,982 points at one stage.
The index recorded an intraday high of 164,939.08 points before selling pressure intensified.
KSE-100 closing snapshot
| Indicator | Value |
| Current Index | 161,805.02 |
| Change | -3,791.05 |
| Percentage Change | -2.29% |
| Day High | 164,939.08 |
| Day Low | 161,613.51 |
| Volume | 195.97 million shares |
| Previous Close | 165,596.07 |
| Value Traded | Rs14.49 billion |
Oil prices and geopolitical tensions weigh on market
Analysts at Topline Securities said investor sentiment remained cautious amid uncertainty surrounding ongoing developments between the United States and Iran, while elevated crude oil prices added pressure on equities.
Market participants closely monitored geopolitical tensions and their potential impact on global energy markets, analysts added.
Heavyweight stocks including Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Meezan Bank (MEBL), United Bank Limited (UBL), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Engro Holdings (ENGROH) remained under selling pressure and collectively dragged the index down by around 1,159 points.
Trading activity remains strong
Despite the market decline, overall trading activity remained healthy.
Total traded volume reached nearly 499.8 million shares, while market turnover stood at approximately Rs19.4 billion.
DSL led the volume chart with around 40 million shares traded during the session.