The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a turbulent session on Wednesday as the benchmark KSE-100 index plunged by over 6,500 points during early intraday trading, triggered by late-night strikes launched by India. However, the market managed to recover a significant portion of the losses by the close. The KSE-100 index ended the day at 110,009 points, down 3,559 points or 3.24 percent from the previous close.
Brokerage firm Topline Securities noted that the index faced “significant volatility,” with a sharp drop of 6,561 points in early trade amid widespread panic selling following the overnight military clash between Pakistan and India.
Despite the initial shock, investor sentiment improved as the session progressed, with cautious optimism prevailing. Market participants are hopeful for stability, provided tensions between the two countries do not escalate further.
The decline was largely influenced by key stocks including LUCK, HUBC, UBL, SYS, and ENGROH, which collectively pulled the index down by 967 points.
Trading volume surged, with 550 million shares changing hands compared to 399 million shares on the previous trading day. The total value of shares traded also rose to Rs. 30.12 billion from Rs. 19.85 billion.
Out of 447 companies that traded, 49 recorded gains, 356 faced losses, and 42 remained unchanged, reflecting a broadly negative market sentiment amid geopolitical uncertainty.
