KSE-100 Witnesses Volatile Session, Ends Below 180,000 Mark

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a volatile trading session on February 13, 2026, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing in the red after losing 908.92 points, or 0.50 percent. The index settled at 179,603.73 points, slipping below the psychological 180,000 level amid selling pressure in heavyweight stocks.
The market opened at 180,577.78 points and briefly climbed to an intraday high of 180,832.66 points. However, the momentum failed to sustain as profit-taking emerged across key sectors. The index later plunged to an intraday low of 178,237.14 points before recovering some losses toward the close.
Trading volumes remained robust, with 379.80 million shares exchanged among index constituents. The healthy turnover suggests that investors remained active despite the downward trend, reflecting a mix of short-term repositioning and sectoral rotation.
On a broader scale, the market’s performance remains impressive in the fiscal year, with the KSE-100 delivering a 42.97 percent gain on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, the calendar year-to-date return stands at 3.19 percent, indicating moderate growth so far in 2026.
Sector-wise, banking and select power stocks offered support. Habib Metropolitan Bank (HMB) contributed 90.77 points to the index, followed by National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) with 77.07 points. K-Electric (KEL) added 30.89 points, while Maple Leaf Cement Factory (MLCF) and Hum Network Limited (HUMNL) contributed 24.76 and 21.33 points respectively.
On the flip side, cement, banking, energy, and technology heavyweights exerted pressure. Lucky Cement (LUCK) was the top dragger, erasing 179.04 points from the index. United Bank Limited (UBL) and Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDC) followed with negative contributions of 144.37 and 125.29 points. Systems Limited (SYS) and Engro Fertilizers (EFERT) also remained under pressure.
Market observers note that after a strong rally in recent months, periodic corrections are natural and may help consolidate gains. Investors are now awaiting fresh triggers, including corporate financial results and economic policy signals, to determine the next direction.
The PSX remains one of the region’s top-performing markets in the current fiscal year, and analysts believe that sustained macroeconomic stability could further strengthen investor confidence in the weeks ahead.