The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange closed lower on Tuesday as profit-taking dominated trading activity, reversing early gains and dragging the market into negative territory.
The index opened at 189,095.63 points and briefly climbed to 189,523.43 points during early trade. However, selling pressure soon emerged, particularly in banking and technology stocks, pushing the index sharply lower.
The market touched a low of 186,626.85 points before settling at 187,033.27 points at the close, marking a decline of 1,588.52 points or 0.84 percent.
Trading volumes remained healthy, with KSE-100 constituent volume recorded at 703.36 million shares, indicating continued investor interest despite cautious sentiment.
Mixed Investor Behavior
Traders said that the market correction was expected after recent strong gains. Many investors opted to secure profits, while others stayed on the sidelines awaiting fresh economic cues.
Stocks That Supported the Market
Pakistan Petroleum Limited led the gainers with a positive contribution of 58.02 points. Sazgar Engineering added 39.35 points, reflecting optimism in the auto and engineering sector.
National Bank of Pakistan, Lotte Chemical, and Mari Petroleum also provided modest support, helping limit further losses.
Stocks That Pulled the Market Down
MEBL and Engro Holdings were the top laggards, together wiping out nearly 400 points from the index. MCB Bank, HBL, and Systems Limited also faced strong selling pressure, reflecting weakness in banking and IT stocks.
Market experts said that foreign and local institutional investors were the main sellers in these heavyweight stocks.
Long-Term Confidence Still Intact
Despite the decline, analysts stressed that the market’s long-term outlook remains strong. The FYTD gain of 48.88 percent highlights investor confidence in Pakistan’s corporate sector, while the CYTD gain of 7.46 percent keeps the market firmly in positive territory for 2026.
Experts believe that macroeconomic stability, improving corporate earnings, and policy continuity will continue to support equities in the long run.
What Investors Should Watch
Analysts recommend a selective strategy, advising investors to focus on companies with strong balance sheets, consistent earnings, and sustainable dividends. Short-term volatility, they say, should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a threat.
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