Investors’ billions wiped out in a day as KSE-100 index suffers massive drop

Investors’ billions wiped out in a day as KSE-100 index suffers massive drop

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October, 7 2025

KARACHI (Web Desk): The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a sharp downturn on Tuesday as selling pressure dominated trading, dragging the benchmark KSE-100 index down by 1,578.66 points.

The index closed at 166,173.75 points, down from 167,752.41 points a day earlier, reflecting a negative change of 0.94 percent.

Trading activity also remained subdued, with 1,266,227,891 shares exchanged compared to 1,274,364,327 shares in the previous session. The overall trading value stood at Rs54.22 billion, down from Rs60.54 billion recorded earlier, indicating reduced investor participation.

Out of 487 active companies, 183 recorded gains, 267 sustained losses, and 37 remained unchanged, showing a predominantly bearish sentiment across the board.

The top three trading companies were: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) with 180,608,050 shares at Rs31.14 per share, Bank of Punjab (BOP) with 134,742,790 shares at Rs35.08 per share, and Cnergyico PK Limited with 90,723,995 shares at Rs8.76 per share.

On the gainers’ side, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited posted the highest increase of Rs653.17 per share, closing at Rs29,950.89, followed by Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited, which rose by Rs128.50 to close at Rs9,901.67.

In contrast, PIA Holding Company Limited-B saw the biggest decline of Rs674.83 per share, ending at Rs24,775.17, while Ismail Industries Limited dropped by Rs60.70 to close at Rs2,074.68.

In the futures market, 318 companies traded shares, with 94 gaining, 220 declining, and 4 unchanged. The total traded volume was 239,032,000 shares, worth Rs11.53 billion.

Bank of Punjab (BOP-OCTB) led the futures market with 34,787,500 shares at Rs35.45 per share.

Among individual performers, POL-NOVB recorded the highest gain of Rs13.67, closing at Rs710.00, while Sazgar Engineering Works Limited (SAZEW-OCTB) suffered the maximum fall of Rs32.64, closing at Rs1,931.82.

The steep fall in the KSE-100 index signals renewed volatility in Pakistan’s equity market. Profit-taking, weak investor confidence, and lower trading volumes reflect uncertainty in the financial sector. While blue-chip stocks like Unilever and Rafhan Maize managed to resist the slide, the broader market sentiment remained negative. Analysts warn that the coming sessions may remain choppy unless investor confidence is restored through stronger economic signals or policy stability.