PSX today: KSE-100 falls 2,007 points to 163,924 as Brent tops $111 on Gulf strike fears
The index rose early, then sold off all afternoon as oil hit a five-month high. Five stocks, led by Engro Holdings, UBL and Hubco, took away 752 points.
PSX today: the KSE-100 index closed at 163,924.32 on Thursday 22 October, down 2,006.67 points or 1.21%, after rising 249 points early and then falling as much as 2,148 points through the afternoon, ProPakistani and ARY News reported from exchange data. It closed at 165,930.99 on Wednesday.
It is the second fall of about 2,000 points this month: on 12 October the index lost 1,964 points as the KP emergency rattled investors.
Why the market fell
Brokers pointed to the Gulf. Brent crude went above $111 a barrel on Thursday, its highest in five months, on reports that the US and Israel are weighing new strikes on Iran and after attacks in Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan imports most of its oil. Topline Securities, quoted by ProPakistani, said the market had no positive triggers and that selling grew heavier through the session. The IMF also said on Thursday that it expects the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region to contract 1.3% this year (our report: IMF sees 1.3% contraction).
What dearer oil means for the pump price is explained in Brent crude tops $111: what it means for petrol in Pakistan.
The numbers
| Thursday 22 Oct | Wednesday 21 Oct | |
|---|---|---|
| KSE-100 close | 163,924.32 | 165,930.99 |
| Shares traded (ready market) | 367.1 million | 379.9 million |
| Value traded | Rs 18.0 billion | Rs 21.3 billion |
| Market capitalisation | Rs 18.17 trillion | Rs 18.38 trillion |
Of 494 companies traded, 355 fell, 101 rose and 38 were unchanged. About Rs 211 billion was wiped off the market's value in one day.
The stocks that pulled it down
Five shares accounted for about 752 of the 2,007 points lost, according to ProPakistani: Engro Holdings, United Bank (UBL), Hub Power (HUBC), Habib Bank (HBL) and Pakistan Tobacco (PTC). Pakistan Refinery (PRL) was the most traded stock, with 25.9 million shares, and closed Rs 4.76 lower at Rs 95.12. PTC fell Rs 5.18 to Rs 47.07.
What it means for you
A 1.2% fall is a bad day, not a crash: the index is still above 160,000. If you hold shares or a stock mutual fund, the value of your holding moves with the index, and a fund that tracks the KSE-100 lost roughly Rs 1,200 for every Rs 100,000 invested on Thursday. Selling after a fall locks in the loss, so long-term savers usually wait; anyone who needs the money within months should not be in shares at all.
The index's daily history is on our KSE-100 page, and the dollar rate is on the USD to PKR page. Before you sell at a profit, work out what you owe with the capital gains tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
- How much did the KSE-100 fall on 22 October 2026?
- It fell 2,006.67 points, or 1.21%, to close at 163,924.32, with 355 of 494 traded companies lower.
- Why did the PSX fall today?
- Brokers linked it to oil above $111 a barrel and fears of new strikes on Iran; Topline Securities said there were no positive triggers and selling built up through the day.
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