KSE-100 declines 0.93% amid SBP's GDP growth projection and regional risks.
Live snapshot
As of 11:41 PKTThe Pakistan Stock Exchange ended the session in negative territory, with the KSE-100 index shedding 1,590.09 points or 0.93% to close at 168,916.22, reflecting a cautious tone across major benchmarks. Trading volumes appeared subdued as the market navigated through a day marked by more decliners than advancers.
Broader indices mirrored the downturn, with the ALLSHR index falling 0.98% and the KSE-30 slipping 0.96%. News of the State Bank's FY26 GDP growth forecast at 3.75-4.75% tempered by Middle East conflict warnings contributed to the day's restraint, alongside policy discussions in textiles and energy sectors.
A security incident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa added to the somber backdrop, though focus remained on macroeconomic signals from recent government directives on fertilizer production and petroleum cooperation.
Top picks
Five biggest gainers
HIRATNC gained 12.21% in the 0830 sector, possibly reflecting optimism from textile industry's budget proposals to enhance competitiveness.
CHBL rose 10.93% within the 0829 sector, amid broader market reactions to SBP's economic growth outlook.
FEM advanced 10.74% in the 0819 sector, potentially influenced by policy pushes for industrial sustainability.
SEL climbed 10.02% in the 0824 sector, as investors eyed macro themes like fertilizer plant expansions for food security.
HUSI increased 10.02% in the 0838 sector, tracking positive energy cooperation news with Kuwait on petroleum storage.
Top drags
Five biggest losers
BIFO dropped 10.0% in the 0805 sector, weighed down by the overall market decline following SBP's Middle East risk warnings.
PKGI fell 10.0% in the 0812 sector, amid caution from the day's security incident and economic projections.
ASHT declined 10.0% in the 0831 sector, reflecting broader pressures on industrial stocks.
SERT slid 9.99% in the 0830 sector, possibly linked to sector-specific volatility despite textile proposals.
WAHDAT decreased 9.96% in the 0810 sector, as the market digested SBP's tempered GDP growth forecast.
Breadth (close)
Advancers
104
Decliners
346
Adv/Dec
0.30
With an advance-decline ratio of 0.3, market participation leaned heavily toward declines, indicating widespread selling pressure across the board.
Macro take
The State Bank of Pakistan projected FY26 GDP growth between 3.75% and 4.75%, while highlighting risks from potential Middle East conflicts that could impact regional stability and energy prices. Government initiatives, including textile sector budget proposals and directives for new fertilizer plants, alongside Kuwait's interest in petroleum storage, signal efforts to bolster industrial and energy sectors amid these uncertainties.
Sources
- marketPSX terminal market watch12 May 2026, 11:30
- newsBrecorder + Dawn + PSX announcements (24h)12 May 2026, 11:30
- breadthPSX terminal breadth12 May 2026, 11:30
- sectorsPSX terminal sector stats12 May 2026, 11:30
- indicesPSX terminal indices12 May 2026, 11:30
- llmOpenRouter narrative (x-ai/grok-4-fast)12 May 2026, 11:30