KARACHI The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened the week on a sharply bearish note, with the benchmark KSE-100 index plunging 2,762 points, or 1.85 per cent, to 148,945.40 by mid-morning on Monday.
The broader All-Share Index fell 1,635 points (1.83pc) to 89,314.98, while the KSE-30 dropped 956 points (2.13pc). The KMI-30 also lost 4,530 points (2.10pc), underscoring heavy selling pressure across the board. The banking index (BKTI) declined 792 points (1.96pc).
Trading activity remained brisk, with over 56.4 million shares changing hands in 51,403 transactions, generating Rs3.62 billion in value. Market breadth was overwhelmingly negative, with 274 symbols declining against only 99 advancing, while 194 remained unchanged out of a total of 567.
In the automobile assembler sector, losses were widespread.
Indus Motor Company fell Rs.30.3 to Rs.1,770, while Ghandhara Industries dropped Rs.29.63 to Rs.611.99. Sazgar Engineering shed Rs.26.59 to Rs.1,625 on heavy volumes of over 93,000 shares. Ghandhara Automobile slipped Rs.19.79 to Rs.309, while Hinopak Motors eased Rs.14.1 to Rs.280. Honda Atlas Cars and Atlas Honda Ltd also posted declines. Dewan Motors, despite active trading, edged down Rs.0.12 to Rs.14.81. Millat Tractors was the lone gainer, rising Rs.3.31 to Rs.498 on strong volumes of 66,000 shares.
In the automobile parts and accessories segment, mixed trends were observed. Atlas Battery rose Rs.1.83 to Rs.195, while Treet Battery gained Rs.0.34 to Rs.9.72 on heavy volumes of 277,000 shares. However, Agriautos Industries fell Rs.5 to Rs.129, Bela Automotive dropped Rs.6.39 to Rs.68, and Panther Tyres slipped Rs.2.78 to Rs.49. Exide Pakistan and Ghandhara Tyre also recorded losses.
The cement sector mirrored the broader market’s weakness with Lucky Cement falling Rs.10.51 to Rs.351.79 on volumes of 325,000 shares, while D.G. Khan Cement dropped Rs.7.98 to Rs.152. Fauji Cement shed Rs.1.26 to Rs.38.9, and Maple Leaf Cement lost Rs.2.23 to Rs.76.8. Attock, Bestway, and Cherat Cement also posted declines. Flying Cement was among the few gainers, rising Rs.1.82 to Rs.43.35.
Market analysts told MM News that the PSX’s sharp decline on Monday reflects fragile investor confidence at the start of the week.
The steep fall of over 2,700 points in the benchmark index, coupled with a heavily skewed advance–decline ratio, underscores broad-based selling pressure. Analysts attribute the downturn to profit-taking, concerns over macroeconomic stability, and uncertainty in policy signals.
With volatility dominating last week and the new week beginning on a steep downturn, the market trend appears firmly bearish, with investors reluctant to commit to long positions until clearer economic cues emerge.
