The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp downturn on the first trading day of the week, with the benchmark KSE-100 index losing over 3,800 points and falling below four key psychological levels in a single session.

Following the recent US strike on Iran, heightened geopolitical tensions in the region triggered panic among investors, prompting a major sell-off at the bourse. The index shed the 120,000, 119,000, 118,000, and 117,000-point levels before closing at 116,167 points, down by 3,855 points.

Throughout the day, bearish sentiment dominated the market as investors opted to offload their holdings amid growing concerns over regional stability and domestic economic uncertainty.

A total of 467 companies’ shares were traded, with a trading volume of 585.9 million shares and a total value of Rs22.91 billion.

PSX declines as KSE-100 index drops nearly 1,600 points amid US-Iran tensions

At the close of the previous trading week, the benchmark index had stood at 120,023 points.

Market analysts attributed the downturn to several factors, including uncertainty over post-budget economic policies, investor concerns regarding new taxation measures, and ongoing talks with international financial institutions.

Business circles have expressed deep concern over the continued instability of the market and urged the government to take immediate steps to restore investor confidence and stabilize the exchange.

Pakistan Stock Exchange closes lower amid bearish trend