Business
PSX turns red as profit-taking drags KSE-100 down 793 points | The Express Tribune
Overall trading volume declined to 1.56 billion shares compared with 1.82 billion day earlier
The Pakistan Stock Exchange witnessed a notable shift in momentum as early gains faded amid aggressive profit-taking during the closing hours, dragging the benchmark KSE-100 index deep into the red by the end of trading.
The session began on a bullish note on Wednesday, buoyed by encouraging corporate earnings and signs of macroeconomic stability. This initial optimism pushed the KSE-100 up by more than 500 points soon after the opening bell, with the index peaking at 168,163.22, its highest level of the day.
However, momentum fizzled as trading progressed. The market entered a sluggish phase, moving sideways for several hours before bearish sentiment took over in the final stretch. A wave of selling — mainly from investors locking in gains — sent the index tumbling to an intra-day low of 166,230.89.
By the close, the KSE-100 had shed 793.56 points, settling at 166,553.28, down 0.47% from the previous day.
Analysts attributed the late-session dip to profit-booking ahead of key economic data releases and possible political developments expected to influence investor sentiment in the coming days. While Wednesday’s sell-off reflected caution, the strong opening suggested underlying investor confidence — a tug-of-war likely to define short-term market trends.
Arif Habib Limited (AHL), in its report, noted that “consolidation into support bodes well for additional gains for the rest of the week.”
Among individual stocks, 38 shares rose while 58 declined. Pakistan Petroleum (+3.21%), Oil and Gas Development Company (+0.87%), and PSX (+5.7%) were the biggest contributors to index gains. In contrast, Fauji Fertiliser (-2.1%), United Bank (-1.11%), and MCB Bank (-1.47%) were the main drags.
In major news, QatarEnergy officials are set to visit Pakistan next week to finalise Islamabad’s request to reduce gas shipments for next year amid weaker demand. Meanwhile, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) approved changes to PSX rules, making it mandatory for companies to hold corporate briefings on their annual financial results.
Ghandhara Automobiles (-2.13%) reported 1QFY26 EPS of -Rs29.33, a year-on-year increase of 178%, in line with expectations. Similarly, MCB Bank (-1.47%) posted 9MCY25 EPS of Rs37.42, down 16% YoY, along with a DPS of Rs27, also matching projections.
AHL anticipated support around the 166,000-point level to hold, expecting renewed buying interest to push the index higher in the coming sessions.
Overall trading volume declined to 1.56 billion shares compared with 1.82 billion a day earlier, while the value of traded shares stood at Rs55.06 billion. A total of 476 companies were traded, of which 203 closed higher, 232 fell, and 41 remained unchanged. K-Electric led volumes with 241 million shares, down Rs0.30 to close at Rs6.21.
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On International Women’s Day 2026, Equirus Wealth reports Indian women investors’ shift from fixed deposits and gold to equity mutual funds.
Women investors are steadily reshaping India’s financial landscape, with rising participation in stocks, mutual funds, and digital investing platforms.
On International Women’s Day 2026, a key trend of behavior change among female investors has emerged over the past five years, particularly in their investment choices across various financial products. Women are now more confident while investing in high risk but rewarding equity market, as the portfolio allocation in equity mutual funds surged from 10 per cent to 32 per cent, while down from 40 per cent to 20 per cent in Fixed Deposits (FDs).
The five-year study on women investors and relationship managers was conducted by Equirus Wealth Limited, and was published in a report titled “Expanding Horizons: Changing Wealth Management Behaviours of Indian Women – Qualitative Analysis of Investor Evolution Across Age and Affluence.”
The study reveals that women investors are increasingly moving away from episodic product purchases such as fixed deposits, gold and property towards diversified, allocation-driven portfolios anchored around long-term financial goals.
This reflects the major behavioural change from ‘safety-first’ investing to allocation-driven portfolio strategies.
Female Investors Adopting AI Cautiously
According to the report ,Artificial Intelligence may dominate global investment conversations, but Indian women investors are adopting it cautiously. They are using AI primarily as research and learning tool rather than for autonomous investment decisions.
Not Panicking During Corrections
Another interesting thing being revealed by the study is that 70-90% of investors hold or review their investments during market corrections rather than exiting in panic, showing maturity during market cycles.
At the same time, around 55% selectively add capital during market dips, reflecting growing conviction and a longer-term approach to investing.
Rise of “bucket investing”
Investors are increasingly dividing portfolios into buckets like safety, growth, liquidity and legacy instead of buying random financial products.
Risk is no longer seen only as loss of capital.
Investors now also consider inflation, goal failure, and portfolio drawdowns as risks.
75–90% are discussing intergenerational wealth transfer and financial discipline for the next generation.
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March 08, 2026, 14:14 IST
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Gold is sold at a discount in Dubai due to Middle East conflict disrupting flights. Traders offer up to $30 per ounce less than London prices.
Dubai Gold Selling Cheaper As Iran War Grounds Flights
Gold is being sold at a discount in Dubai as the widening conflict in the Middle East disrupts flights and hampers the movement of bullion from one of the world’s key trading hubs.
According to a Bloomberg report, traders in Dubai are offering discounts of up to $30 per ounce compared to the global benchmark price in London. The unusual price cut comes as shipments remain stranded due to flight disruptions triggered by the escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel.
Dubai is a key global centre for refining and exporting gold to markets across Asia, including India. However, partial airspace restrictions and heightened security risks have slowed the movement of bullion out of the region.
Why Gold Is Being Sold Cheaper
Gold is typically transported in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft. With several flights from the UAE restricted amid regional tensions, traders are struggling to move bullion to international markets.
At the same time, insurance and freight costs have surged, making shipments more expensive and uncertain. Many buyers have therefore stepped back from placing new orders, unwilling to bear high logistics costs without assurance of timely delivery.
To avoid paying prolonged storage and financing costs while shipments remain stuck, some traders are offering gold at discounted prices.
Although transporting bullion by road to airports in neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia or Oman is theoretically possible, logistics firms are reluctant due to the risks and complications of moving high-value cargo across land borders during a conflict.
What It Means For India
India, one of the largest buyers of gold shipped from Dubai, could face short-term supply disruptions if the situation continues.
Renisha Chainani, head of research at Augmont Enterprises Ltd., said several cargo shipments have already been delayed, creating temporary tightness in the availability of physical bullion in India.
However, industry experts as reported by Bloomberg say the immediate impact may remain limited as domestic inventories are currently comfortable after heavy imports earlier this year.
Chirag Sheth, principal consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus, said Bloomberg that India has ample stocks for now, but warned that prolonged disruptions could eventually affect supply if the conflict continues for several months.
Meanwhile, global gold prices have surged this year amid geopolitical uncertainty, with spot gold recently trading above $5,000 per ounce.
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March 08, 2026, 10:03 IST
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Some seven in 10 British adults without a full driving licence say learning to drive is currently unaffordable, according to a survey.
The figure is even higher among younger people, with 76% of 18 to 29-year-olds without a licence saying driving lessons are financially out of reach, the poll for car insurer Prima found.
Overall, 38% said the cost of driving lessons was the biggest deterrent to learning to drive.
Some 32% were put off by the price of buying a car and 15% said the cost of car insurance was the main barrier to learning to drive.
Almost half (45%) said they would consider learning to drive if it became significantly cheaper.
Nick Ielpo, UK country manager at Prima, said: “For a growing number of people, driving is no longer a symbol of freedom – it’s a financial stretch too far.
“Between lessons, buying a car and insuring it, the upfront and ongoing costs are pricing many people out before they even start.”
Find Out Now surveyed 1,134 adults who do not hold a full driving licence between January 21 and 23.
Left-Handed People Are More Competitive, Says Science
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