RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The correction at the Pakistan Stock Exchange persisted on Tuesday, with benchmark and sectoral indices closing lower in a volatile session marked by sharp intraday swings, heavy turnover, and continued erosion in overall market capitalization.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 166,258.55 points, down 1,432.54 points or 0.85 percent from the previous close of 167,691.08 points. The index climbed to an intraday high of 169,237.51 points but later slipped to a low of 163,907.59 points before trimming part of its losses by the close.

Meanwhile, BR indices also closed in the red. BRIndex100 closed at 18,345.91 points, down 227.22 points or 1.22 percent compared to the previous close. Total volume in BRIndex100 stood at 547.55 million shares. Similarly, BRIndex30 closed at 64,340.84 points, down 1,645.69 points or 2.49 percent. Total traded volume in BRIndex30 amounted to 377.07 million shares.

According to the Topline Sales Desk, bulls and bears engaged in an intense battle during the high-volatility session as investor sentiment remained fragile following an 11 percent decline from the recent peak. The desk noted that the index staged a brief rebound before intensified selling pushed it toward the session’s low. Despite the swings, the market recovered part of its losses by the close, reflecting nervous positioning as investors balanced valuation comfort against lingering uncertainty and the absence of near-term positive triggers.

UBL, HBL, FFC, MARI, and HUBC were identified as the principal laggards, collectively dragging the benchmark down by 949 points. In contrast, LUCK, POL, MCB, EFERT, and ATRL provided partial support, contributing 439 points to the index.

Market activity accelerated significantly. In the regular market, total turnover surged to 687.96 million shares from 461.26 million shares in the previous session. Traded value jumped to Rs38.47 billion compared to Rs24.94 billion earlier. Despite the heightened activity, market capitalization declined to Rs18.81 trillion from Rs18.97 trillion, reflecting a further erosion of approximately Rs160.21 billion in investor wealth.

Market breadth remained negative, with 139 companies advancing, 292 declining, and 56 remaining unchanged out of 487 traded in the ready market.

In the ready market, K-Electric Limited again led volumes with 64.85 million shares, closing at Rs7.57. The Bank of Punjab followed with 49.14 million shares, closing at Rs29.70. WorldCall Telecom recorded 45.98 million shares and closed at Rs1.31, while Hascol Petroleum traded 40.30 million shares to settle at Rs16.63.

Among notable gainers, PIA Holding Company LimitedB rose by Rs231.83 to close at Rs16,727.33, and Sapphire Textile Mills Limited gained Rs60.40 to Rs1,299.40. On the losing side, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited fell by Rs247.64 to Rs25,952.93, while Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited dropped by Rs218.23 to Rs9,410.93.

Among sectoral BR indices, the BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 25,768.72 points, down 102.63 points or 0.40 percent, with a turnover of 2.87 million shares. The BR Cement Index bucked the broader negative trend, closing slightly higher at 11,835.42 points, up 25.39 points or 0.21 percent, with a turnover of 34.99 million shares.

The BR Commercial Banks Index declined 1,059.64 points or 1.81 percent to close at 57,532.50 points, with 82.91 million shares traded. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index fell 295.62 points or 1.11 percent to settle at 26,357.07 points on a turnover of 112.36 million shares.

The BR Oil and Gas Index dropped 109.37 points or 0.79 percent to 13,811.20 points, with 68.12 million shares traded. The BR Tech & Communication Index ended at 3,489.12 points, down 46.41 points or 1.31 percent, with 90.49 million shares changing hands.

Overall, Tuesday’s session reflected sustained caution in the equity market, with indices closing lower despite a sharp surge in turnover. Elevated volumes, sectoral weakness in banking and oil-related counters, and continued contraction in market capitalization underscored a fragile and highly reactive trading environment.