Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed renewed selling pressure on Monday as investors remained cautious amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, while the start of the roll-over period added to market volatility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 167,691.08 points, down 5,478.63 points, or 3.16%, compared with the previous close of 173,169.71 points. During intraday trading, the index touched a high of 174,336.85 points and a low of 166,886.63 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Market analysts said investor sentiment remained subdued due to geopolitical uncertainty and the absence of near-term positive triggers. Director Mayari Securities Huzaifa Riaz noted that cautious positioning by investors, combined with the roll-over week, contributed to heightened volatility and downward pressure on equities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump recently indicated he would decide within days whether to order strikes on Iran if no nuclear agreement is reached. Reports also suggested military options included a potential attack targeting Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Indirect talks between the two countries have been held in Oman and Switzerland, with further discussions expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economic data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed profit and dividend repatriation by foreign investors rose to $1.677 billion during the first seven months of FY2025-26, compared with $1.328 billion in the same period last year. In January alone, repatriation stood at $118.9 million, reflecting a gradual normalisation of capital outflows alongside improved foreign exchange reserves and a stabilising external account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan recorded a current account surplus of $121 million in January, supported by strong remittances and lower imports. However, the cumulative current account balance showed a deficit of $1.07 billion in 7MFY26 compared with a surplus of $564 million a year earlier, mainly due to import normalisation amid economic recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SBP data further indicated that the power sector registered the largest increase in repatriated earnings, followed by notable outflows in the financial sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Separately, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased by 1.16% for the combined consumption group during the week ended February 19. The SPI rose to 335.67 points from 331.81 points a week earlier, while year-on-year inflation stood at 5.19%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the previous trading session on Friday, the KSE-100 Index had gained 999.42 points, or 0.58%, to close at 173,169.71 points.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed renewed selling pressure on Monday as investors remained cautious amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, while the start of the roll-over period… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1546,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[1141,605,606,67,218],"class_list":["post-1545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","tag-inflation","tag-kse-100-index","tag-pakistan-stock-exchange","tag-state-bank-of-pakistan","tag-us-iran-tensions-2"],"yoast_head":"\n