Karachi – The benchmark KSE-100 Index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended Friday’s trading session with a significant decline as selling pressure dominated the market throughout the day.
According to the latest market wrap issued for March 6, 2026, the KSE-100 Index opened the session at 161,435.83 points.
During early trading hours, the market briefly maintained stability and touched the same level as its highest point of the day.
However, as the session progressed, increased selling activity in several major stocks pushed the index lower. The market eventually touched its lowest level of the day at 157,072.65 points.
By the close of trading, the KSE-100 Index settled at 157,496.10 points.
Overall, the benchmark index recorded a decline of 3,714.58 points, representing a negative change of about 2.30 percent compared with the opening level.
Market experts said the drop reflects cautious investor sentiment and profit-taking by traders after previous gains in the market.
Despite the downward trend, trading activity remained relatively strong. According to official figures, the index constituent trading volume reached approximately 196.19 million shares during the session.
In terms of broader performance indicators, the financial year-to-date (FYTD) return of the KSE-100 Index still stands at 25.37 percent, suggesting that the market has delivered strong returns during the current fiscal year despite short-term volatility.
However, on a calendar year-to-date (CYTD) basis, the index has declined by about 9.51 percent since the beginning of 2026.
Several heavyweight companies played a major role in dragging the market downward.
Among the largest negative contributors were United Bank Limited (UBL), Engro Holdings, Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Lucky Cement, and Hub Power Company (HUBC).
United Bank Limited emerged as the biggest dragger, reducing the index by 435.40 points. Engro Holdings followed with a negative contribution of 368.61 points.
Fauji Fertilizer Company also exerted pressure on the market by pulling the index down by about 278.41 points, while Lucky Cement and Hub Power Company contributed negative impacts of 236.44 and 217.44 points respectively.
Despite the overall decline, a few stocks helped limit the market’s losses.
Attock Refinery Limited (ATRL) was the top positive contributor, adding 31.98 points to the index. Service Industries Limited (SRVI) followed with a gain of 26.01 points.
Other stocks that supported the market included DH Partners Limited (DHPL), Pakistan Services Limited (PSEL), and Cherat Cement Company (CHCC), which collectively contributed smaller positive gains.
Financial analysts say fluctuations in the stock market are common and investors should focus on long-term fundamentals rather than reacting to short-term movements.
They also noted that global economic conditions, commodity prices, and domestic economic policies often influence investor confidence in Pakistan’s equity market.
Market participants will now closely watch upcoming economic announcements and corporate developments that may determine the direction of the market in the coming trading sessions.
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