Karachi, March 10, 2025 – The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a turbulent trading session on Monday, ultimately closing 42 points lower after surrendering significant intra-day gains.
The benchmark KSE-100 index of PSX, which had surged by 650 points during the day, retreated sharply and settled at 114,356 points, down from last Friday’s closing of 114,398 points.
Market analysts at Topline Securities Limited attributed the volatility to persistent investor apprehensions regarding the forthcoming monetary policy announcement and ongoing concerns over the circular debt crisis. These factors fueled uncertainty, leading to erratic trading patterns at the PSX throughout the session.
Initially, bullish sentiment prevailed at the PSX as select heavyweight stocks drove the market upwards. Notably, ENGROH, UBL, HBL, POL, and SRVI collectively added 504 points to the index, bolstering investor confidence. However, this optimism was short-lived as selling pressure emerged, dragging the index into negative territory. The downturn was led by declines in PPL, OGDC, and PSO, which collectively erased 317 points from the benchmark index.
The overall market participation remained robust, with a total trading volume of 324 million shares, translating into a turnover of Rs 20 billion. Among the actively traded stocks, POWER emerged as the volume leader, with 24 million shares changing hands, reflecting heightened investor interest.
Despite the day’s fluctuations, market sentiment at the PSX continues to be dictated by macroeconomic developments, particularly policy decisions that could influence interest rates and liquidity flows. Analysts suggest that investor confidence will remain fragile unless clarity emerges on key economic challenges.
Moving forward, traders and institutional investors at the PSX will closely monitor economic indicators, corporate earnings reports, and global market trends for direction. Any positive triggers, such as favorable policy measures or improved corporate earnings, could reinvigorate bullish momentum at the PSX. Conversely, prolonged uncertainty may exacerbate volatility and lead to further market corrections.
As the PSX navigates through economic headwinds, stakeholders remain vigilant, seeking stability amid fluctuating market conditions. The coming weeks are expected to be pivotal in determining the long-term trajectory of the PSX, with investor sentiment hanging in delicate balance.