KARACHI:

Trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened the week on a sharply negative note, as heavy selling pressure dragged equities deep into the red.

In a show of extreme volatility, the benchmark KSE-100 index oscillated between an intraday high of 179,969.23 and a low of 173,574.26.

Sustained selling pressure dominated the session, dragging the index down by 5,149.79 points at the close, marking a sharp decline of 2.87% as broad-based weakness overshadowed buying activity.

During the day, the session was characterised by aggressive liquidation, weak sentiment, and external pressures that collectively pushed the benchmark index to a significant single-day loss. The downturn was not confined to a single segment.

Major sectors, including commercial banks, oil and gas, fertilisers, cement, and power, remained under sustained pressure throughout the session. Institutional selling dominated the tape, with limited support from local participants to absorb the supply.

Market sentiment remained fragile amid persistent foreign outflows, as indicated by data from the previous session.

Read: PSX tumbles over 900 points

In its market wrap, KTrade Securities said PSX extended its weakness on Monday as the KSE-100 index closed at 174,453 points, down 5,149 points, or 2.87%. The session remained decisively negative with no meaningful recovery attempt, reflecting continued fragile sentiment and sustained selling pressure.

Broad-based declines were witnessed across commercial banks, oil and gas, fertilisers, cement, and power. Heavyweight stocks including United Bank, Habib Bank, Meezan Bank, Fauji Fertiliser, Lucky Cement, and Hub Power remained under pressure, with banking stocks contributing the most to the index’s decline. Selling was visible across the board as investors opted to reduce exposure.

Market participation stayed relatively low, and even positive corporate developments failed to shift sentiment. Bank Alfalah announced a Rs3 per share dividend against expectations of Rs2.5, along with a 2-for-1 stock split; however, the broader market showed no meaningful response.

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Market participation stayed relatively low and even positive corporate developments could not shift sentiment, as Bank Al Falah announced a Rs3/share dividend against expectation of Rs2.5 along with a 2-for-1 stock split, yet the broader market showed no meaningful response.

Margin pressure appears to be building, and in the absence of a strong catalyst, the bearish tone may persist, KTrade predicted and advised investors to adopt cautious stance going forward.

According to the PSX website, overall trading volume increased to 773.2million shares against Friday’s close of 708.9million. The value of traded shares stood at Rs46.2billion. Shares of 487 companies were traded.

Of these 65 closed higher, 378 fell and 44 remained unchanged, K-Electric emerged as volume leader with trading in 63.9 million shares, losing Rs0.42 to close at Rs8.13.