KSE-100 plunges 1,336 points amid escalating US-China trade tensions

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under significant pressure as escalating trade tensions between the US and China over tariffs weighed heavily on investor sentiment. The benchmark KSE-100 index tumbled by 1,336 points, reflecting the broader impact of global market uncertainty on the local bourse.

The index plunged by 1,335.88 points, or 1.15 per cent, to 114,853.33 points, down from the 116,189.21 points recorded in the last session. The highest index of the day remained at 115,937.38 points, while the lowest level was recorded at 114,639.92 points.

Ahsan Mehanti, an analyst at Arif Habib Corp, said, “Stocks closed sharply lower in the earnings season on bearish global equities and weak global crude oil prices amid fears over the outcome of the US-China trade war.”

He said that rupee instability and 9.0 per cent YoY declining dismal data on cement sales for March 2025 played a catalyst role in the bearish close at the PSX.The KSE-30 index decreased by 533.09 points or 1.49 per cent to 35,217.14 points from 35,750.23 points.

Traded shares decreased by 180 million shares to 458.589 million shares from 638.089 million shares. The trading value dropped to Rs31.628 billion from Rs36.924 billion. Market capital narrowed to Rs14.114 trillion against Rs14.235 trillion. Of the 441 companies active in the session, 137 closed in green, 244 in red and 60 remained unchanged.

Analyst Nabeel Haroon at Topline Securities said volatility persists as the US-China trade war intensifies. Pressure was observed at the local bourse, as the KSE 100 Index largely traded in a negative zone to close at 114,853.Top negative contribution to the index acme from UBL, FFC, EFERT, ENGROH and MARI, as they cumulatively lost value to weigh down on the index by -837 points

Traded value-wise KOHC (Rs2.36 billion), GLAXO (Rs1.92 billion), PAEL (Rs1.88 billion), HCAR (Rs1.54 billion), MARI (Rs1.36 billion), and SEARL (Rs1.24 billion) dominated the trading activity.

Investor interest was observed in the pharmaceutical sector, as the index gained to close 4.1 per cent higher.The highest increase was recorded in Hoechst Pakistan Limited, which rose by Rs121.97 to Rs3,321.97 per share, followed by PIA Holding Company Limited B, which increased by Rs120.86 to Rs1,329.45 per share. A significant decline was noted in Nestle Pakistan Limited, which fell by Rs82.63 to Rs7,070.85 per share; Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited followed it, which closed lower by Rs50.76 to Rs1,258.33 per share.

Muhammad Rizwan, director brokerage at Chase Securities, said the PSX witnessed a decline amid escalating global trade tensions and plummeting oil prices, with the market expected to remain cautious heading into the weekend as investors closely monitor global trade developments and oil price movements.

Fertiliser stocks declined in today’s session, tracking weak sales numbers for the month and concerns about the agricultural economy, which raised investor concerns about the outlook of the fertilizer sector.

Pak Elektron remained the volume leader with 40.742 million shares, which closed higher by Rs2.32 to Rs47.18 per share. Sui South Gas, with 38.084 million shares, followed it, which closed higher by 39 paisas to Rs39.52 per share.

Other significant turnover stocks included BO Punjab XD, Citi Pharma Ltd, Pak Int. Bulk, WorldCall Telecom, Power Cement, The Searle Company and Pak Stock Exchange.In the futures market, 312 companies recorded trading, 67 of which increased, 242 decreased, and 3 remained unchanged.