PSX Closing Bell: Bears Tighten Grip

March 30, 2026 (MLN): The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended Monday’s session deep in the red, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index extended losses amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty, rising oil prices, and concerns over potential disruptions to domestic economic activity.

The KSE-100 Index settled at 146,842.97, marking a decline of 4,864.54 points or 3.21%.

The market remained highly volatile throughout the session, with the index moving within a wide range of 7,156.64 points, hitting an intraday high of 151,813.61 (+106.10) and a low of 144,656.97 (-7,050.54). Total traded volume stood at 308.12 million shares.

Market breadth was overwhelmingly negative, as 97 companies closed lower, only 2 advanced, and 1 remained unchanged.

Among the top losers were MEHT (-10.00%), PSX (-9.98%), GADT (-9.96%), GAL (-9.13%), and PAEL (-8.47%), reflecting broad-based selling pressure. On the flip side, MUREB (+0.68%) and MTL (+0.65%) were among the few stocks that managed to post marginal gains.

In terms of index-point contributions, the decline was primarily driven by FFC (-432.53pts), ENGROH (-331.98pts), MEBL (-272.38pts), LUCK (-260.65pts), and UBL (-230.75pts). Meanwhile, MTL (+9.87pts) and MUREB (+2.14pts) offered limited support.

Sector-wise, the index was dragged down by Commercial Banks (-1332.72pts), Cement (-691.42pts), Fertilizer (-631.02pts), Investment Banks / Securities Companies (-387.16pts), and Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (-295.34pts), indicating widespread weakness across key sectors.

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 87,967.58, posting a loss of 2,983.36 points or 3.28%.

Overall market activity increased, with total volume rising to 529.13 million shares from 435.51 million in the previous session, while traded value climbed to Rs29.60 billion, up Rs5.61 billion. A total of 388,442 trades were recorded across 480 companies, with 50 closing higher, 379 declining, and 51 remaining unchanged.

Investors remained cautious amid renewed geopolitical concerns, as global oil prices edged higher on reports that Yemen’s Houthi forces had launched projectiles toward Israel, intensifying fears of broader conflict spillovers from the Middle East.

Oil markets also reacted to comments by Donald Trump, suggesting a possible approach toward Iran involving control over its oil resources  remarks that reignited supply risk fears and contributed to upward pressure on crude prices.

Furthermore, Pakistan’s domestic uncertainties also weighed on sentiment, as  a possible lockdown  raises fears of disruptions to business activity, logistics, and consumer demand, intensifying selling pressure in local markets.

Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stepping up mediation between Iran and the United States, but uncertainty over timing and outcomes contributed to cautious trading.

The combination of heightened regional tensions and strengthening oil prices weighed heavily on sentiment, with markets bracing for further volatility as geopolitical developments unfold.

To note, the KSE-100 has gained 21,216 points or 16.89% during the fiscal year, whereas it has decreased 27,211 points or 15.63% so far this calendar year.

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