PSX Opening Bell: Falling Like Rain

April 09, 2026 (MLN): Stocks at the Pakistan Stock Exchange came under pressure at the opening bell on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index reversing course after the previous session’s historic rally, as renewed geopolitical concerns dampened investor sentiment.

During early trading, the KSE-100 Index fell to 162,200.46, down 3,610.54 points or 2.18%.

The index witnessed sharp volatility, trading in a wide range of 4,389.34 points, with an intraday high of 166,382.34 (+571.34 points) and a low of 161,993.00 (-3,818.00 points).

Market participation remained thin compared to the previous session, with total traded volume in the KSE-100 Index recorded at 26.56 million shares.

Of the 100 index companies, 13 were trading higher, 75 declined, 4 remained unchanged, while 8 remained untraded, reflecting broad-based selling pressure.

On the losing side, SRVI (-6.31%), TPLRF1 (-6.17%), JVDC (-4.73%), FFL (-4.70%), and AHCL (-4.63%) led the decline. 

In terms of index-point contribution, the decline was driven by FFC (-569.84 points), HUBC (-213.26 points), MEBL (-212.79 points), ENGROH (-195.18 points), and SYS (-184.46 points).

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was weighed down by Commercial Banks (-1,044.86 points), Fertilizer (-696.78 points), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (-508.55 points), Power Generation & Distribution (-258.59 points), and Technology & Communication (-256.84 points). Limited support came from tobacco, food & personal care products, and select smaller sectors.

The decline comes a day after the market posted a historic surge, fueled by optimism over a potential ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which had led to a sharp drop in global oil prices and boosted investor confidence.

However, sentiment turned cautious again after oil prices rebounded on Thursday, as Iran accused the United States of violating elements of the two-week ceasefire agreement. The development raised concerns that tensions could escalate once more, potentially disrupting global energy supplies.

The renewed uncertainty in oil markets weighed on investor confidence at the local bourse, prompting profit-taking following the previous session’s extraordinary gains.

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