Trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) turned choppy on Wednesday as investors locked in gains. The KSE-100 index fell 418.47 points, settling at 174,054.32. Early bullish momentum faded amid broad-based profit-taking across major sectors.
The index started strong, reaching an intra-day high of 175,232.90 and briefly crossing 175,000 points. However, enthusiasm waned, and selling pressure pushed the index to a low of 173,564.33. Heavyweights in automobiles, banking, power, and refineries contributed most to the decline.
Despite Wednesday’s dip, the broader market outlook remains positive. PSX delivered a 51% return in CY25, making it the second-best performing frontier market. Over three years, the index has averaged annual gains of 64%, with cumulative dollar returns of 249%.
Market activity rose, with trading volume climbing to 957.2 million shares from Tuesday’s 851 million. A total of 481 companies traded shares, with 221 closing higher, 223 lower, and 37 unchanged. K-Electric led volume with 95.9 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.21 to Rs5.93.
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Analysts say near-term volatility is normal after strong rallies. Investors are advised to watch for market trends and sector performance before making further trades. PSX remains a top-performing equity market globally.