The KMI-30 index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange suffered a major decline during Monday’s session as investor sentiment weakened amid losses in energy, banking, and power sector stocks.
The benchmark KMI-30 index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) registered a significant decline on Monday as widespread selling pressure in heavyweight stocks pushed the market deep into negative territory.
According to official market data released by the PSX, the KMI-30 index closed at 232,680.60 points after shedding 6,271.80 points during the trading session on May 18, 2026. The benchmark also posted a negative performance of 2.62 percent.
The market began the day at 237,761.60 points and climbed to a session high of 238,182.12 points during early trading hours. However, investor sentiment weakened later in the day, causing the market to slide sharply to an intraday low of 232,360.25 points.
Financial analysts said the market downturn reflected investor concerns regarding the broader economic outlook, inflationary trends, and uncertainty surrounding future financial policies. Many investors opted to reduce exposure in key sectors, leading to substantial declines in major stocks.
Among the biggest draggers of the session, OGDC recorded the highest negative contribution by pulling the index down by 732.28 points. ENGRO Holdings also faced heavy selling and reduced the benchmark by 688.97 points.
Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL), one of the major banking stocks on the exchange, contributed a decline of 662.69 points. Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) erased 632.18 points from the index, while Hub Power Company (HUBC) further weakened the market with a negative impact of 500.83 points.
Market participants said concerns about rising costs, economic adjustments, and investor uncertainty continued to affect trading behaviour across various sectors. Analysts noted that global commodity movements and local economic indicators were also influencing investor confidence.
The total trading volume of index constituents stood at 78.39 million shares, reflecting active market participation despite the overall negative trend. Experts said investors remained focused on short-term market movements while awaiting further economic clarity.
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGP) emerged as the only notable positive contributor during the session, adding 14.52 points to the KMI-30 index and partially offsetting market losses.
Analysts believe the PSX could remain volatile in the coming days as investors monitor inflation data, foreign exchange reserves, and developments related to fiscal policy. However, they added that improved investor confidence and economic stability could support market recovery over the longer term.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange has experienced mixed trading patterns in recent months due to changing economic conditions and shifting investor sentiment. Market experts maintain that consistent economic reforms and stable financial policies will be essential to strengthen investor confidence and improve market performance in the future.
