PSX Falls 340 Points as Hormuz Uncertainty Keeps Investors Cautious
KARACHI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: The Pakistan Stock Exchange ended lower after a volatile session as uncertainty surrounding US-Iran diplomacy and the Strait of Hormuz kept investors cautious, while higher global oil prices added to concerns about Pakistan’s economic outlook.
The benchmark KSE-100 index dropped 339.60 points, or 0.20%, to close at 170,425.62. The index moved between an intraday high of 171,126.52 and a low of 170,120.50, after initially gaining more than 270 points before profit-taking reversed the early advance.
Investor sentiment remained fragile as geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East continued to dominate trading. The market was particularly sensitive to developments involving the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments. The session also came as Brent crude rebounded more than 3% in Asian trading, according to The Express Tribune.
Arif Habib Limited Deputy Head of Trading Ali Najib described the session as range-bound, with geopolitical uncertainty keeping many market participants cautious. Analysts highlighted elevated energy prices, external-sector risks and the upcoming IMF review among factors likely to influence market direction.
Several heavyweight stocks moved in opposite directions. TRG Pakistan, Fauji Fertiliser, Oil & Gas Development Company, Attock Refinery and Hub Power collectively contributed 264 points to the benchmark. However, selling in UBL, HBL, Lucky Cement, Engro Holdings and Mari Energies collectively pulled the index down by 321 points.
Technology and selected refinery shares attracted buying interest, while commercial banks and cement companies remained under pressure, reflecting investors’ selective approach amid geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty.
Overall market turnover declined to 421 million shares, compared with 483 million in the previous session, while traded value stood at Rs17.7 billion. Of 496 companies traded in the ready market, 181 advanced, 267 declined and 48 remained unchanged.
Cnergyico PK led volumes with 61.6 million shares, gaining Rs0.14 to close at Rs13.32. Foreign investors were net sellers of shares worth Rs99.2 million, according to National Clearing Company data cited by The Express Tribune.
Market direction is expected to remain sensitive to oil-price movements, developments around the Strait of Hormuz and broader US-Iran tensions, while domestic investors are also watching external-sector conditions and the IMF review.
