Investor sentiment down
KARACHI: Heightened political and geopolitical tensions, coupled with uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and a sharp rise in international oil prices, weighed on investor sentiment at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), pushing the benchmark KSE-100 Index down during the week ended August 21, 2026. The benchmark KSE-100 Index opened the week at 180,104.61 points and closed at 177,166.52…
Investor sentiment at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) declined during the week ended August 21, 2026, due to heightened political and geopolitical tensions, concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, and a sharp rise in international oil prices. The benchmark KSE-100 Index fell 1.6 percent week-on-week, closing at 177,166.52 points from 180,104.61 points.
Brent crude prices increased by 8 percent to around USD 94 per barrel, while domestic petrol prices rose by Rs12.35 per litre, and diesel prices decreased by Rs19.25 per litre due to government intervention. The broader market also underperformed, with the total market capitalisation of the PSX dropping 1.2 percent in rupee terms and 1.2 percent in dollar terms.
Despite some positive developments in Pakistan's domestic economic indicators, market participants continued to monitor external factors and domestic economic data to gauge investor confidence.
Brief written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
