Lahore, April 11: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) took a steep dive on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index shedding 1,335.88 points, closing at 114,853.33.
Renewed selling pressure, coupled with global trade policy uncertainty, dragged down investor sentiment, erasing the modest gains made a day earlier.
Profit-Taking Hits Heavyweight Sectors
The downturn in the Pakistan Stock Exchange was led by aggressive profit-taking in major index-heavy sectors.
Stocks in oil and gas exploration, commercial banking, automobile manufacturing, refineries, and power generation faced strong selling pressure.
Notable decliners included:
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Mari Petroleum (MARI)
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Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDC)
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Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL)
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Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL)
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Pakistan State Oil (PSO)
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Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL)
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Hub Power Company (HUBCO)
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Meezan Bank (MEBL)
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National Bank of Pakistan (NBP)
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MCB Bank (MCB)
Global Trade Woes Weigh on Market Sentiment
The fresh wave of Pakistan Stock Exchange selling comes amid global economic jitters fueled by uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policies.
A temporary relief rally on Thursday, triggered by President Donald Trump’s suspension of new tariffs, had restored some confidence. However, investors now seem skeptical about the sustainability of this move, leading to renewed caution.
Read more: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Surges Past 116,000 Points
On Thursday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office had warned of the far-reaching consequences of trade tensions. Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan stressed that developing economies like Pakistan remain highly vulnerable to abrupt shifts in global trade policies and called for a swift resolution to ongoing disputes.
What’s Next for the PSX?
Market analysts suggest that investor sentiment will remain volatile in the coming weeks, with global market trends playing a critical role in shaping local equity performance.
The lack of clarity on international trade agreements and ongoing economic challenges could keep the KSE-100 under pressure.
Read more: Stocks, Dollar Drop as Trade War Shakes Markets
As the market digests these developments, investors will be closely watching how global trade negotiations unfold and whether policymakers can provide stability in the face of mounting economic uncertainty.
Stay tuned for further updates on PSX market movements, investment trends, and economic news.
