The Pakistan Stock Exchange ended Tuesday’s trading session on a negative note, with the benchmark KSE-100 index losing 157 points, or 0.32 per cent, by the close of the trading session to reach 48,523.41.

Volumes were led by commercial banking stocks amidst lower-than-usual activity in the trading session.

77.5 million shares had changed hands by the end of the session, with a total worth of nearly Rs 6.3 billion.

Stocks of 371 companies were traded, of which 150 gained in value, 196 declined and 25 remained unchanged.

Volumes were led by:

1. Bank of Punjab: 23.2m shares traded [-5.17pc];

2. Azgard Nine: 19.1m shares traded [+8.52pc];

3. Aisha Steel Mill: 18.7m shares traded [-4.11pc];

4. TRG Pak Ltd: 15m shares traded [-0.12pc]; and,

5. Engro Polymer: 8.87m shares traded [+4.95pc].

"Bearish trend continued on concerns for foreign outflows, uncertainty in global equities and lower global crude prices," said Arif Habib Corp analyst Ahsan Mehanti.

"Investors await the outcome of IMF talks focusing on privatisation and energy sector reforms amid surging circular debt," he added. "Consolidation in the post earning season played a catalyst role in bearish close."