PSX Closing Bell: Can’t Stop the Slide

February 24, 2026 (MLN): The KSE-100 Index extended its losses on Tuesday, as investors remained cautious ahead of key external developments and ongoing global trade uncertainties, keeping market sentiment firmly in bearish territory.

The benchmark index closed at 166,258.54, posting a decline of 1,432.54 points or 0.85%.

The session remained volatile, with the index trading in a wide range of 5,329.92 points. It recorded an intraday high of 169,237.51 (+1,546.43 points) before sliding to a low of 163,907.59 (-3,783.49 points).

Total trading volume of the KSE-100 Index stood at 345.39 million shares.

Investor sentiment remained subdued as the IMF review approaches, with market participants opting to trim positions amid uncertainty over potential policy adjustments and fiscal targets.

The upcoming review is seen as a critical milestone for economic stability, prompting cautious trading activity.

Additionally, global trade developments added to the nervousness.

A recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Trump administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad-based tariffs, significantly reducing the country’s effective tariff rate (ETR) from 13% to around 5–6%.

However, uncertainty persists after the U.S. administration introduced a 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which was later increased to 15%, clouding the global trade outlook and weighing on emerging market equities.

Of the 100 index companies, 32 closed higher, 64 declined, and 4 remained unchanged, reflecting a negative market breadth.

Top losers during the day were GADT (-7.93%), PKGP (-7.50%), UNITY (-7.10%), JVDC (-5.76%), and HGFA (-5.53%).

On the other hand, top gainers included SSOM (+10.00%), PABC (+3.91%), BNWM (+3.89%), ATRL (+3.88%), and LUCK (+3.49%).

In terms of index-point contribution, major drags on the index were UBL (-256.41pts), HBL (-221.57pts), FFC (-203.77pts), MARI (-163.04pts), and HUBC (-104.87pts).

Meanwhile, companies that provided support to the index were LUCK (+212.30pts), POL (+75.33pts), MCB (+59.33pts), EFERT (+50.72pts), and ATRL (+41.09pts).

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was primarily weighed down by Commercial Banks (-603.34pts), Fertilizer (-180.60pts), Power Generation & Distribution (-120.38pts), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (-109.63pts), and Investment Banks/Investment Companies/Securities Companies (-99.52pts).

On the positive side, support came from Cement (+53.68pts), Refinery (+39.69pts), Cable & Electrical Goods (+16.02pts), Leather & Tanneries (+15.13pts), and Automobile Parts & Accessories (+8.98pts).

In the broader market, the All-Share Index settled at 99,756.66, registering a net loss of 849.13 points or 0.84%.

Total market volume increased to 687.96 million shares compared to 461.26 million in the previous session, while traded value surged by Rs13.53 billion to Rs38.47 billion, indicating heightened activity amid the decline.

A total of 378,743 trades were reported in 487 companies, with 139 closing higher, 292 closing lower, and 56 remaining unchanged, highlighting continued selling pressure across the board.

To note, the KSE-100 has gained 40,631 points or 32.34% during the fiscal year, whereas it has decreased 7,796 points or 4.48% so far this calendar year.

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