The Pakistan Stock Exchange experienced a highly volatile trading day on Wednesday. The benchmark PSX KSE-100 Index ultimately settled with a loss of over 240 points. This downward movement followed a brief period of optimism seen during the morning hours.
Initially, stocks opened on a positive note. The market hit an intra-day high of 171,587.32 during the early hours of trading. However, heavy selling pressure emerged in the final session. This pressure dragged the index to a low of 170,641.13 before a minor recovery.
By the closing bell, the PSX KSE-100 Index stood at 170,830.22. This represents a total decrease of 243.51 points, or 0.14%. Investors chose to book profits ahead of the upcoming public holidays.
Market Dynamics and PIA Acquisition News
Investor sentiment remained mixed despite significant corporate developments. A consortium led by AHCL recently won the bid for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). They submitted a top bid of Rs135 billion for a 75% stake in the national carrier. This amount significantly exceeded the government’s initial base price.
Despite this major news, the PSX KSE-100 Index could not maintain its early momentum. The market will now remain closed on Thursday. This closure is due to the dual occasions of Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas. Traders expect activity to resume with fresh perspectives on Friday.
Trading Volume and Currency Stability
Market activity showed an upward trend in terms of participation. Trading volume on the all-share index rose to 811.56 million shares. This was a notable increase from the 650.14 million recorded previously. The total value of traded shares reached Rs29.79 billion.
Pak Int. Bulk led the volume charts with 62.13 million shares. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee remained relatively stable. It gained Re0.01 against the US dollar to settle at 280.20 in the inter-bank market. This stability provides some comfort to import-dependent sectors.
Global Market Context and Summary
International markets showed a different trend compared to the local exchange. Asian shares advanced as the year 2025 draws to a close. Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.4%, while South Korean stocks outperformed the region. In the US, the S&P 500 reached a record closing high amid a “Santa Claus” rally.
While global sentiment remains buoyed by AI-driven gains, the PSX KSE-100 Index faced local selling pressure. Out of 481 companies traded, 264 recorded a fall in their share prices. Only 171 companies managed to register an increase during the session.
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