PSX edges higher after volatile start as selling pressure persists

PSX edges higher after volatile start as selling pressure persists

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a cautious and volatile session on Monday, with the benchmark index opening on a weak note before recovering slightly to enter positive territory. Persistent selling across major sectors continued to weigh on market sentiment, limiting the overall gains.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index stood at 166,453.27 points, gaining 33.56 points, or 0.02%, from the previous close of 166,419.71 points. The marginal increase reflected a tentative recovery as investors remained cautious amid selling pressure in key sectors.

The market struggled to build upward momentum as investors offloaded shares in automobile assemblers, cement companies, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration companies, and oil marketing companies. Selling in these sectors kept the benchmark under pressure and offset gains in other parts of the market.

During the trading session, the KSE-100 Index touched an intraday high of 166,698.46 points before falling to a low of 165,918.34 points. The wide trading range highlighted continued fluctuations as market participants weighed buying opportunities against concerns reflected in persistent selling activity.

Trading activity remained moderate, with investors exchanging 68.99 million shares during the session. The total value of traded shares reached Rs4.66 billion, according to market highlights.

Despite recovering from its intraday low, the benchmark index remained close to the previous session’s closing level. The limited recovery suggested that buying interest remained insufficient to offset selling pressure across several heavyweight sectors.

Market performance continued to reflect cautious investor behaviour, with movements in major sectors playing a significant role in shaping the benchmark’s direction. While the index managed to post a marginal gain, the overall session remained subdued as investors awaited stronger signals before making further investment decisions.

The KSE-100 Index’s slight increase kept the market in positive territory, but persistent selling in key sectors prevented a more convincing recovery. The session ended with the benchmark hovering near its previous close, highlighting the fragile sentiment prevailing at the stock market.