The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw a sharp fall on Wednesday, losing 1,505.11 points — a 1.23 percent decline — and closed at 120,465.93, compared to the previous day’s 121,971.04. This downturn has fueled worries among investors amid declining trading volumes and mixed company performances.
Trading volume also dropped significantly, with 707,300,056 shares traded during the day, compared to 1,152,012,654 shares on the previous trading day. The total value of the traded shares stood at Rs21,273 billion, down from Rs27,983 billion, highlighting a cautious approach from investors.
Out of the 470 companies that took part in the trading session, only 102 managed to record gains, while 327 sustained losses. The share prices of 41 companies remained unchanged. This imbalance further reinforces the bearish sentiment currently hovering over the market.
Among the most actively traded companies were WorldCall Telecom, which led with 110,905,125 shares at Rs1.50 per share, followed by Prud Mod. 1st with 51,711,290 shares at Rs4.61, and Pervez Ahmed Co. with 41,067,952 shares at Rs3.15 per share. These figures indicate that while volume existed, the majority of trading occurred in low-priced stocks.
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The highest gainer of the day was Macter International Limited, with its share price surging by Rs46.72 to close at Rs513.90, followed by Hinopak Motors Limited, which rose Rs41.00 to close at Rs451.03. On the flip side, PIA Holding Company LimitedB suffered a steep drop of Rs1,530.02, closing at Rs13,770.15, and Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited saw a decrease of Rs211.00, settling at Rs22,989.00.
The steep fall in the PSX index despite the strengthening of the US Dollar suggests a lack of investor confidence, possibly driven by uncertainty in macroeconomic indicators or upcoming fiscal policy shifts. The reduction in both trade value and volume signals a pullback from aggressive market participation. While some stocks showed remarkable gains, the dominance of losses and the steep decline in heavyweight shares indicate that market sentiment remains fragile.
