PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Left in the Cold

March 09, 2026 (MLN): The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp sell-off on Monday as escalating geopolitical tensions and a surge in global oil prices rattled investor sentiment.

Trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange was also temporarily suspended  after the benchmark KSE-30 Index dropped more than 5% from its previous trading day’s close, triggering a market-wide circuit breaker under PSX regulations. 

By the close of the session, the benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 146,480.14, registering a steep decline of 11,015.96 points or 6.99%.

The index traded in a wide range of 6,054.66 points, hitting an intraday high of 150,174.09 (-7,322.01) and a low of 144,119.43 (-13,376.67).

The total volume of the KSE-100 Index stood at 378.01 million shares.

Market breadth remained overwhelmingly negative, with 1 stock closing higher, 97 declining, and 2 remaining unchanged.

Among the top losers were YOUW (-13.68%), UNITY (-10.15%), BOP (-10.01%), AGP (-10.00%), and BNWM (-10.00%). Meanwhile, PGLC (+5.29%) was among the few stocks that managed to close in positive territory, along with IBFL (+0.00%) and FHAM (+0.00%), while MARI (-0.01%) and LCI (-0.22%) posted marginal declines.

In terms of index-point contributions, companies that dragged the index lower included FFC (-1480.75pts), UBL (-1199.20pts), ENGROH (-626.05pts), HUBC (-603.37pts), and LUCK (-570.17pts). On the other hand, PGLC (+0.22pts) provided minimal support to the index.

Sector-wise, the decline was led by Commercial Banks (-3303.02pts), Fertilizer (-1869.01pts), Cement (-1268.76pts), Investment Banks / Investment Companies / Securities Companies (-709.85pts), and Power Generation & Distribution (-688.17pts).

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 88,401.14, posting a loss of 5,825.86 points or 6.18%.

Total market volume surged to 621.65 million shares, compared to 363.15 million in the previous session, while traded value increased to Rs37.12 billion, up Rs14.01 billion. A total of 332,606 trades were reported in 480 companies, with 33 advancing, 386 declining, and 61 remaining unchanged.

To note, the KSE-100 has gained 20,853 points or 16.60% during the fiscal year, whereas it has decreased 27,574 points or 15.84% so far this calendar year.

Market sentiment remained fragile after global crude prices jumped past the $110-per-barrel mark when Iran moved to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments, triggering strong reactions across international energy and financial markets.

The global crude prices increase has also pushed fuel prices sharply higher in Pakistan. The federal government raised the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs55 per litre, taking petrol to Rs321.17 per litre from Rs266.17 and high-speed diesel to Rs335.86 per litre from Rs280.86, effective from midnight on March 7, 2026, amid the spike in global oil prices.

Sustained increases in energy costs could force some industries to scale back operations or temporarily shut down plants due to rising production expenses, adding further pressure on businesses and the broader economy.

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