PSX dips 454 points; investors remain cautious

Trading on the Pakistan Stock Exchange closed in negative territory on Monday, with the KSE-100 index losing 453.63 points, or 0.27 per cent, to finish at 165,966.09. The Express Tribune reported that the index had opened weaker, slipping to 166,120.90 early in the session before a brief rebound. That rebound peaked at 166,698.46 but faded as selling returned in the second half.

Pressure was heaviest in automobile assemblers, cement, banks, and both oil exploration and oil marketing firms. Most activity was in Saif Power, WorldCall Telecom, TPL Trakker, Cnergyico and Pakistan Refinery, according to KTrade Securities. Selective buying in MCB, Attock Refinery, Pakistan Oilfields, TRG Pakistan and Bank Alfalah gave partial support, while UBL, Systems Ltd and Hub Power were among the biggest decliners.

Brent crude stayed above $100 per barrel, which the report linked to macroeconomic uncertainty. Engro Fertilisers posted Rs9.1 billion in net profit for 3QCY26, up 57 per cent year on year, with EPS of Rs6.83 and a cash dividend of Rs5.50 per share. Overall volumes fell to 370.9 million shares from 396.9 million on Friday, while 163 of 499 traded stocks closed higher and 302 fell.