PSX Opening Bell: Early Slide

April 13, 2026 (MLN): Stocks at the Pakistan Stock Exchange came under heavy selling pressure at the opening on Monday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index plunging sharply amid escalating geopolitical tensions and a surge in global oil prices.

During early trading, the KSE-100 Index fell to 162,476.78, down 4,714.59 points or 2.82%. The index traded in a narrow but negative range of 926.84 points, touching an intraday high of 162,660.24 (-4,531.13 points) and a low of 161,733.40 (-5,457.97 points), indicating sustained downward pressure.

Market activity remained subdued, with total traded volume in the KSE-100 Index recorded at 38.18 million shares. Of the 100 index companies, only 2 were trading higher, 93 declined, 1 remained unchanged, while 4 remained untraded, highlighting widespread bearish sentiment.

Among the major laggards, JDWS (-7.89%), PKGS (-7.06%), AICL (-6.84%), YOUW (-6.38%), and KTML (-6.17%) posted steep losses. 

In terms of index-point contribution, the decline was driven by heavyweights including FFC (-450.31 points), UBL (-432.11 points), ENGROH (-284.18 points), LUCK (-234.81 points), and HBL (-202.53 points). 

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was weighed down by Commercial Banks (-1,491.60 points), Fertilizer (-604.99 points), Cement (-528.71 points), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (-336.26 points), and Investment Banks/Companies/Securities Companies (-312.45 points), reflecting broad-based weakness across key sectors.

Investor sentiment deteriorated sharply amid renewed geopolitical tensions. Crude oil prices surged after the United States moved toward enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports following the collapse of recent diplomatic talks held in Pakistan. Earlier, Donald Trump had indicated that Washington could extend its actions to the Strait of Hormuz after negotiations with Iran failed to yield an agreement.

Adding to the pressure, global markets also turned negative, with overnight trading on Wall Street showing a weaker trend as futures for major indices pointed to a lower open, reflecting a broader risk-off sentiment among investors.

The developments marked a reversal from the earlier temporary two-week ceasefire, under which Iran had agreed to allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The breakdown in talks and rising risks of supply disruption pushed oil prices higher, weighing heavily on investor confidence at the local bourse.

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