KARACHI: The Pakis­tan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under pressure on Monday as equity investors grew nervous over developments in the Strait of Hormuz, dragging the benchmark KSE-100 index below the psychological barrier of 180,000 points.

Topline Securities Ltd said the PSX came under renewed selling pressure as escalating tensions in the Middle East dampened investor sentiment. Fresh attacks involving the US and Iran reignited concerns about a broader regional conflict, pushing international crude oil prices higher and triggering a risk-off sentiment across the market.

The benchmark KSE-100 index remained under pressure throughout the session, touching an intraday low of 2,793 points before closing at 179,927, down 2,314 points or 1.27 per cent.

The decline was further exacerbated by broad-based profit-taking after the market’s recent rally, as investors chose to lock in gains despite an otherwise supportive macroeconomic backdrop.

Index loses 2,314 points on Hormuz tensions

On the index contribution front, heavyweight stocks United Bank, Meezan Bank, Fauji Fertiliser, Hub Power, and Lucky Cement emerged as the biggest laggards, collectively dragging the benchmark down by approximately 845 points.

Trading activity remained subdued, with total traded volume falling 10.90pc to 845.27 million shares, while traded value dipped 7.44pc to Rs35.5 billion. Cnergyico PK topped the volume chart, with 158 million shares changing hands.

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the PSX began the week on a weak footing, as escalating geopolitical tensions weighed heavily on investor sentiment, prompting investors to trim their positions and adopt a risk-off stance.

Car sales for FY26 reached 155,631 units, representing a 39pc year-on-year increase. Sales of jeeps, sport utility vehicles, and vans rose by 41pc to 50,814 units.

Sazgar Engineering Works Ltd informed the PSX that it sold 2,720 four-wheelers during the outgoing month, significantly surpassing street expectations of 1,600-1,700 units.

Analysts suggest that market trends will continue to be influenced mai­nly by geopolitical developments. Signs of de-escalation could boost investor confidence, whereas further escalation would fuel short-term volatility.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2026