The Pakistan Stock Exchange witnessed a sharp downturn on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE100 index nosediving by 3,545.60 points to close at 111,326.58, marking one of the steepest singleday losses in recent months. The decline, equivalent to 3.09%, was attributed to widespread investor uncertainty and renewed pressure on macroeconomic indicators.
The KSE30 index mirrored the negative trend, falling by 1,274.04 points to settle at 33,993.15-down 3.61% from the previous close. Market capitalisation also took a significant hit, shedding over Rs428 billion to close at Rs13.52 trillion from Rs13.95 trillion in the previous session.
According to data released by the PSX, the ready market recorded a turnover of 490.9 million shares, with a traded value of Rs31.12 billion. The broader sentiment remained bearish, as 352 companies closed lower, while only 60 advanced and 45 remained unchanged out of a total of 457 listed entities. In the futures market, 318 stocks ended in the red against just 9 gainers.
The technology, cement, and energy sectors led the decline, with heavy volumes seen in shares of Cnergyico PK, WorldCall Telecom, and Maple Leaf Cement. Cnergyico was the most actively traded stock, with over 46 million shares changing hands, though it lost 72 paisas to close at Rs7.09.
Major losses were also recorded in largecap names, including Ismail Industries Limited, which dropped by Rs105.68 to close at Rs1,628.83, and Rafhan Maize Products, which fell Rs84.90 to Rs8,950.33.
In contrast, a few stocks posted notable gains. PIA Holding Company (B) jumped by Rs396.94 to Rs4,366.33, and Unilever Pakistan Foods rose by Rs369.75 to close at Rs23,469.75.
Analysts attributed the selloff to a combination of political uncertainty, external account pressures, and concerns over the delayed IMF tranche. They warned that unless macroeconomic clarity emerges, volatility is likely to persist in the coming sessions.
The PSX’s total traded value stood at over Rs40 billion across the ready and futures markets combined.