PSX Closing Bell: A Shade Lower

Mettis Global reported that the KSE-100 index slipped 0.11% on Monday, finishing at 176,966.68 after shedding 199.84 points. Intraday, the benchmark moved within a 1,387.30-point band, peaking at 178,122.87 before sliding to 176,735.57. Investors took profits in the market's largest stocks after a recent rally, and traders stayed wary amid regional geopolitical uncertainty and movements in oil prices.

Breadth was negative, with 51 of the 100 index companies closing lower, 48 higher and one unchanged. POWER led the gainers with a 5.33% rise, followed by MLCF (3.88%), DGKC (3.05%), SSGC (2.91%) and GHGL (2.86%). On the losing side, PGLC dropped 10.00%, while SRVI, TRG, AGP and HUMNL fell between 2.20% and 4.33%.

Oil and gas exploration companies added 219.11 points and cement stocks contributed 178.93 points, while commercial banks pulled the index down by 249.21 points. The All-Share Index ended at 107,599.75, down 0.04%, on total volume of 933.52 million shares and traded value of Rs44.10 billion. Over the fiscal year the KSE-100 has lost 3,335 points, or 1.85%, and it has gained 2,912 points, or 1.67%, so far this calendar year.