The benchmark index slipped below 170,000 in late-session selling as Brent crude traded around $107 a barrel.
The KSE-100 Index extended its decline on Tuesday, falling 825 points as persistent geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and rising international oil prices kept investors in a risk-off mood.
The benchmark index closed at 169,600 points, down 825 points or 0.48%, after trading between an intraday high of 170,944 points and a low of 169,538 points.
Late Selling Weighs on Market
The market remained relatively stable during the early part of the session, with the index moving around the 170,400–170,600 range. However, selling pressure intensified after 2:00pm, pushing the benchmark below the psychologically important 170,000 level.
Investor sentiment remained cautious amid continuing uncertainty surrounding developments in the Middle East. The situation was further compounded by higher international crude prices, with Brent crude trading at around $107 per barrel.
The rise in oil prices has raised concerns among investors about its potential impact on Pakistan’s import bill, inflationary pressures and external account position.
Higher international energy prices can increase the cost of Pakistan’s oil imports and potentially place additional pressure on the country’s external financing requirements. These concerns continued to weigh on risk appetite during the session.
Major Index Drags
Selling pressure was concentrated in several major index-heavy stocks.
UBL, FFC, PPL, HBL and MARI emerged as the leading drags on the benchmark, collectively shaving approximately 375 points from the KSE-100 Index.
The weakness in these stocks contributed significantly to the benchmark’s late-session decline and pushed the overall market into negative territory.
The session’s performance also reflected investors’ cautious approach amid uncertainty over global commodity prices and regional developments.
Trading Activity
Despite the decline in the benchmark, market participation remained active. Total trading volume reached approximately 568 million shares, while the value of shares traded stood at around PKR 20.8 billion.
The KSE-100’s latest decline comes as investors continue to monitor international oil prices, geopolitical developments and their potential implications for Pakistan’s macroeconomic outlook.