KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained in the red throughout Wednesday’s session, with mid‑day trading showing sharper losses as investors continued to offload positions across key sectors.
By 12:00 pm, the benchmark KSE‑100 index had dropped 785 points, settling at 168,130.99, down 0.47 per cent. The broader All‑Share Index also fell 265 points (−0.26pc) to 101,328.17, while the KSE‑30 slipped 244 points (−0.49pc) to 50,286.49.
Trading activity was robust, with 296.5 million shares worth Rs10.58 billion changing hands across 164,542 transactions. Market breadth remained negative, as 256 scrips declined against 193 advancing, with 113 unchanged.
Sectoral indices showed pronounced weakness in banking stocks, where the BKTI index plunged 512 points (−1.12pc), reflecting investor caution over liquidity and macroeconomic pressures. The KMI‑30 index, tracking Shariah‑compliant counters, shed 403 points (−0.17pc), underscoring broad‑based selling.
Analysts said the market’s persistent weakness highlights profit‑taking and cautious sentiment after recent rallies. “The PSX has been under pressure since the opening bell, with investors reluctant to hold positions amid uncertainty over external financing and policy clarity,” a brokerage note observed.
Market analysts say the closing session will determine whether institutional support emerges to stabilize sentiment, or if the downward trend continues into the week’s end.
