March 16, 2026 (MLN): The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp decline on Monday as selling pressure dominated across major sectors, dragging the benchmark KSE-100 Index significantly lower by the close of the session amid rising geopolitical tensions and volatile global energy prices.

The KSE-100 Index settled at 149,178.66, registering a loss of 4,687.50 points or 3.05%.

The index moved within a range of 5,195.97 points, touching an intraday high of 153,943.69 (+77.53) and a low of 148,747.72 (-5,118.44) during the trading session. The total volume of the KSE-100 Index stood at 153.18 million shares.

Market breadth remained largely negative, with 10 companies closing higher, 85 declining, three unchanged, and two remaining untraded.

Among the top losers were DGKC (-6.75%), NBP (-6.10%), PIBTL (-5.69%), INIL (-5.21%), and CHCC (-5.01%). Meanwhile, ABOT (+4.97%), PKGP (+3.03%), SYS (+2.15%), LOTCHEM (+1.17%), and TPLRF1 (+1.06%) emerged as the top gainers.

In terms of index-point contributions, companies that weighed heavily on the index included FFC (-585.88pts), UBL (-386.96pts), ENGROH (-319.65pts), HUBC (-319.14pts), and HBL (-269.66pts). On the other hand, SYS (+79.42pts), ABOT (+30.39pts), EFERT (+10.06pts), MTL (+4.23pts), and TPLRF1 (+3.67pts) added points to the index.

Sector-wise, the KSE-100 Index was primarily dragged down by Commercial Banks (-1572.70pts), Fertilizer (-645.03pts), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (-567.96pts), Cement (-455.21pts), and Power Generation & Distribution (-356.68pts).

Meanwhile, limited support came from Real Estate Investment Trust (+3.86pts), Technology & Communication (+0.85pts), Textile Spinning (+0.49pts), Modarabas (+0.00pts), and Synthetic & Rayon (+0.00pts).

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 89,754.00, recording a loss of 2,568.40 points or 2.78%.

Total market volume stood at 298.27 million shares, slightly lower than 303.02 million in the previous session, while traded value increased to Rs20.19 billion, up Rs5.49 billion. A total of 250,889 trades were reported across 474 companies, with 90 closing higher, 324 declining, and 60 remaining unchanged.

Investor sentiment remained under pressure as escalating tensions in the Middle East raised concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supply. The situation has kept oil prices volatile, heightening fears of increased import costs and inflationary pressures.

To note, the KSE-100 has gained 23,551 points or 18.75% during the fiscal year, whereas it has decreased 24,876 points or 14.29% so far this calendar year.

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