Investor participation at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a steep decline on Monday, with the total traded value in the regular market plummeting by over PKR 12 billion, as benchmark indices concluded the session in negative territory.
The KSE-100 index, a key barometer of the market, shed 200.31 points, or 0.12%, to close at 171,204.18. The index fluctuated throughout the day, reaching a high of 172,167.63 before settling near its intraday low of 170,858.66.
Similarly, the KSE-30 index retreated by 90.21 points, a percentage change of -0.17%, ending the day at 52,323.58 against the previous close of 52,413.79.
The bearish sentiment was reflected in the regular market”s activity, where trading volume, or turnover, contracted to 684.55 million shares from the previous session”s 797.53 million. This downturn led to an erosion of overall market capitalization, which fell to PKR 19,435.60 trillion from PKR 19,457.16 trillion.
In stark contrast to the regular market”s performance, the Deliverable Futures Contract (DFC) segment witnessed a dramatic surge in activity. DFC turnover skyrocketed to 507.88 million from a previous 166.36 million, while its traded value jumped to PKR 41.63 billion from PKR 9.49 billion recorded in the prior session.