Karachi, April 24, 2025 – The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp decline of 2,206 points on Thursday as mounting tensions between Pakistan and India rattled investor confidence and triggered a broad-based sell-off across the market.
The benchmark KSE-100 index of PSX closed at 115,020 points, down from the previous day’s level of 117,226, reflecting a 1.88% drop. The day’s trading session was dominated by anxiety over regional geopolitical tensions, with analysts citing the situation between Pakistan and India as the key driver behind the market’s bearish performance.
According to analysts at Topline Securities Limited, the KSE-100 Index extended its downward trajectory from the previous day, remaining under pressure throughout the session. “The escalation in tensions between Pakistan and India has injected significant uncertainty, prompting investors to adopt a risk-off approach,” the firm stated in its daily commentary.
The PSX index hit an intraday low, shedding as much as 2,564 points at one stage, before recovering slightly to settle at the 115,020 mark. Among the top laggards, HUBCO, ENGRO, MARI, BAHL, and UBL collectively contributed 605 points to the index’s decline. Despite the market turmoil, trading activity remained relatively firm, reflecting underlying investor engagement.
Selective interest was visible in key stocks such as PSO, which led the volumes with a traded value of PKR 2.36 billion. Other active stocks included MLCF (PKR 2.06 billion), OGDC (PKR 1.78 billion), MARI (PKR 1.68 billion), and SNGP (PKR 1.63 billion).
In corporate developments, PSX-listed Pakistan Tobacco Company (PAKT) reported a first-quarter FY25 EPS of Rs. 24.53, showing a 20% decline quarter-on-quarter but a 22% rise year-on-year. The company declared a second interim dividend of Rs. 30/share. In the cement sector, Fauji Cement Company Limited (FCCL) reported a 3QFY25 EPS of Rs. 0.87, with earnings down 47% QoQ but up 21% YoY.
Despite the cautious sentiment stemming from regional tensions, PSX recorded total traded volumes of 505 million shares and turnover of PKR 24.44 billion, reflecting that market participation remains strong even amid geopolitical headwinds.