KSE-100 index plunges over 650 points on fears of monetary tightening

• KSE-100 index closes at 42,440.25 after losing 1.53%.
• Delay in tough economic decisions and political uncertainty have unnerved investors.
• Shares of 314 companies were traded during the session.

KARACHI: The benchmark KSE-100 index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) plunged on Monday, the first day of the rollover week, as an across-the-board selling spree pushed share prices into the red zone.

The delay in tough economic decisions by the coalition government and heightened political uncertainty has unnerved investors. Moreover, the Pakistani rupee remains in a downward spiral with the US dollar gaining another 0.39% on Monday to close at 200.93.

The index remained jittery over concerns regarding monetary policy tightening which was to be announced after the session.

It is worth mentioning that contrary to market expectations the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) raised the benchmark interest rate by 150 basis points to 13.75% for the next six weeks in order to stabilise inflation and economic growth.

Read more: Miftah Ismail again says no hike in petroleum prices, but hints at rise in interest rate

Moreover, uncertainty regarding the ongoing talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission for the revival of the stalled multibillion-dollar programme took a toll on the market.

At close, the benchmark KSE-100 index closed at 42,440.25 after losing 660.46 points or 1.53%.

A report from Arif Habib Limited noted that the market witnessed a bloodbath session as investors remained bearish throughout the day.

“The benchmark KSE-100 index nosedived from the beginning of the session as an increase in the political noise over the weekend and uncertainty regarding resumption of IMF programme along with continued depreciation of Pakistani rupee against the US dollar and rate hike in the Monetary policy, shattered investors' confidence,” the report noted.

Read more: Pakistan international bond yields spike amid growing doubts over IMF talks

The brokerage house noted that the volumes remained dull on the mainboard although hefty volumes were observed in third-tier stocks.

Sectors contributing to the performance included cement (-120.8 points), fertiliser (-89 points), exploration and production (-79.9 points), technology (-72.5 points), and banks (-63.1 points)

Shares of 314 companies were traded during the session. At the close of trading, 48 scrips closed in the green, 250 in the red, and 16 remained unchanged.

Overall trading volumes dropped to 118.98 million shares compared with Friday's tally of 189.92 million. The value of shares traded during the day was Rs3.57 billion.

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Silk Bank was the volume leader with 9.97 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.04 to close at Rs1.32. It was followed by WorldCall Telecom with 7.62 million shares traded, losing Rs0.09 to close at Rs1.50 and K-Electric with 6.12 million shares traded, losing Rs0.08 to close at Rs2.50.