Investors at the Pakistan Stock Exchange faced a tough day on Thursday as the benchmark KSE-100 index dropped sharply, losing more than 6,000 points amid widespread selling in major stocks. The decline reflected weaker short-term confidence and profit-taking after several weeks of strong performance.
The index started the day at 188,686 points and initially showed signs of stability. It even touched a high of 188,923 points during the early hours, giving hope that the market might continue its upward trend. However, the situation changed quickly as sellers began dominating the trading floor.
Throughout the day, share prices steadily declined. The benchmark hit its lowest level at 181,961 points before slightly recovering. At the close, the KSE-100 stood at 182,338 points, down 6,042 points, or 3.21 percent.
Even though prices fell, trading activity remained lively. More than 413 million shares were traded among index companies, showing that investors were actively buying and selling rather than staying inactive. Experts say this level of activity suggests portfolio reshuffling instead of panic.
Several large companies were mainly responsible for dragging the market down. Fauji Fertilizer Company had the biggest negative impact, followed by United Bank, Engro, OGDC, and Hub Power. These companies carry heavy weight in the index, so even small price drops significantly affect the overall market.
Some stocks provided minor support, including Mehmood Textile and Packages Limited, but their gains were too small to change the overall direction.
Market analysts believe this drop is a normal correction after recent gains. “The market has risen strongly in recent months, so some pullback is natural,” said a stock broker. He added that long-term investors should focus on company fundamentals rather than daily ups and downs.
Interestingly, despite the single-day fall, the broader trend remains positive. The KSE-100 index has gained over 45 percent in the current fiscal year and nearly 5 percent so far this calendar year. This shows that investors who stayed invested earlier are still in profit.
Experts recommend patience and careful planning during such volatile sessions. Instead of reacting emotionally, investors should assess opportunities and risks calmly.
For now, the market may remain under pressure, but analysts expect stability to return once confidence improves and new economic triggers support buying.
