The fairness market got here underneath heavy stress on Monday, with traders remaining cautious amid escalating tensions between america and Iran, whereas the beginning of the roll-over interval added to volatility.
The benchmark Pakistan Inventory Trade (PSX) KSE-100 Index closed at 167,691.08 factors, falling 5,478.63 factors or 3.16% from the earlier session’s shut of 173,169.71.
Throughout intraday buying and selling, the index touched a excessive of 174,336.85 earlier than sliding to a low of 166,886.63, reflecting sharp swings all through the session.
Market analysts attributed the decline to geopolitical uncertainty. Huzaifa Riaz, Director at Mayari Securities, stated traders adopted a cautious stance on account of rising US-Iran tensions and the absence of sturdy near-term market triggers.
US President Donald Trump just lately said he would determine inside “10 to fifteen days” whether or not to order strikes on Iran if nuclear negotiations fail.
Studies indicated that navy choices had been introduced to him, together with potential actions concentrating on Iran’s management.
On the financial entrance, information from the State Financial institution of Pakistan (SBP) confirmed that revenue and dividend repatriation by overseas traders rose to $1.677 billion throughout the first seven months of FY26, in comparison with $1.328 billion a 12 months earlier.
Pakistan recorded a present account surplus of $121 million in January, supported by sturdy remittances and managed imports.
Nonetheless, the cumulative present account stability confirmed a deficit of $1.07 billion in 7MFY26, in comparison with a $564 million surplus in the identical interval final 12 months.
In the meantime, weekly inflation measured by the Delicate Worth Indicator (SPI) rose 1.16% for the week ended February 19, in accordance with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), with year-on-year inflation recorded at 5.19%.
The earlier session had seen the KSE-100 achieve almost 1,000 factors, however Monday’s sharp sell-off reversed these positive factors as geopolitical considerations dominated investor sentiment.
