Karachi, March 12, 2025 – The benchmark KSE-100 index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a decline of 93 points on Wednesday, reflecting investor concerns amid ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The KSE-100 index closed at 114,084 points, down from the previous day’s closing of 114,177 points, as cautious sentiment prevailed in the market.
Analysts at Topline Securities Limited noted that the KSE-100 index experienced volatility throughout the trading session. The index initially surged by 484 points but later faced selling pressure, dipping to an intraday low of -176 points before settling with a modest loss of 93 points (-0.08%). The fluctuations in the KSE-100 index were largely influenced by investor sentiment regarding the outcome of the IMF review, which remains a key factor shaping market expectations.
Despite the overall decline, certain stocks provided upward momentum. MARI, BAHL, MLCF, PABC, and DGKC collectively contributed 147 points to the KSE-100 index. However, this positive impact was offset by declines in FFC, OGDC, and ENGROH, which together dragged the index down by 188 points.
Market participation remained strong, with a total of 298 million shares changing hands, translating into a trading volume of Rs 20 billion. Among actively traded stocks, SSGC led the volume charts, with 18 million shares being exchanged.
Investors remained cautious amid uncertainties surrounding macroeconomic stability and the implications of IMF discussions for fiscal and monetary policy. The KSE-100 index is expected to continue reacting to developments in economic policy, corporate earnings, and global market trends in the coming sessions. Market experts suggest that clarity on the IMF deal and subsequent economic measures could help determine the future trajectory of the KSE-100 index.
Looking ahead, analysts believe that the KSE-100 index may witness further fluctuations as investors closely monitor policy decisions and economic indicators. With external factors playing a significant role, market sentiment remains sensitive to updates on economic reforms and foreign investment inflows.