PSX Sheds 1,549 Points as KSE-100 Closes at 162,375

The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s benchmark KSE-100 Index fell 1,549.44 points, or 0.95%, on Friday, October 23, closing at 162,374.88.

The decline followed Thursday’s 2,006.67-point drop, leaving the index lower for a second consecutive session. Friday’s trading ranged from an intraday high of 163,966.86 to a low of 162,292.44.

Market breadth was negative: 311 companies declined, 136 advanced and 48 ended unchanged. Trading value rose to Rs18.20 billion from Rs17.99 billion in the previous session, while volume increased to 398.94 million shares from 367.09 million.

Sana Tawfik, head of research at Arif Habib Limited, told Business Recorder that selling pressure reflected weakness in global markets amid higher oil prices and investor caution ahead of the State Bank’s monetary policy decision, with expectations of a possible rate increase.

The largest negative contributions to the index came from MEBL, ENGROH, LUCK, HUBC and PPL, which together weighed on the benchmark by 637 points, according to Topline Securities’ post-market report cited by Business Recorder.

The closing figures describe Friday’s session and do not predict the next move. The KSE-100 tracks the performance of selected listed companies; its decline does not mean that every share fell.