KSE-100 falls to around 170,299 in early Monday trade as investors react to stalled US-Iran diplomacy, rising crude prices and broad-based selling across key sectors.
KARACHI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under selling pressure on Monday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index falling nearly 500 points in early trading as investors weighed renewed uncertainty surrounding US-Iran diplomacy and another rise in international oil prices.
At around 10:15am, the KSE-100 stood at 170,299.24 points, down 465.98 points, or 0.27%, from the previous close.
Selling was spread across several major sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, fertiliser, oil and gas exploration companies and oil marketing companies, reflecting a cautious start to the trading week.
The decline came as global crude prices moved higher following another setback in diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. Rising oil prices are particularly important for Pakistan because of the country’s dependence on imported energy, with sustained increases potentially affecting the import bill, inflation and external-account pressures.
Geopolitical uncertainty has repeatedly influenced the PSX during September. Earlier in the month, the KSE-100 suffered sharp declines as escalating Middle East tensions and higher crude prices prompted investors to reduce exposure to risk-sensitive sectors. On September 7, for example, the benchmark dropped 1,692.75 points as rising oil prices and Strait of Hormuz concerns weighed on sentiment.
More recently, the market had responded positively when expectations of diplomatic progress between the United States and Iran strengthened. The KSE-100 gained 830.43 points to 172,232.51 during a September 23 session as softer crude prices and hopes for progress in US-Iran talks improved investor confidence.
Those gains proved difficult to sustain. The benchmark subsequently fell 1,733.57 points to 170,498.95 as geopolitical concerns resurfaced and Brent crude moved higher, with analysts highlighting potential consequences for inflation, Pakistan’s import bill and the external account.
The market entered Monday following a relatively cautious previous week. The KSE-100 had slipped 119.37 points, or 0.1%, to 170,765.22 over the week ended September 25 as geopolitical uncertainty and domestic political developments restricted investor risk appetite.
Monday’s figures represent an intraday market snapshot rather than the closing level. The direction and magnitude of the KSE-100’s move may therefore change substantially before the end of the trading session.
