Stocks lose 666 points on profit-taking

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) faced selling pressure on Wednesday due to uncertainty surrounding tax reforms ahead of the first review under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team arriving next week. Topline Securities Ltd noted that after two days of strong buying by local mutual funds, the market took a breather as investors opted for profit booking, resulting in a volatile session. The benchmark KSE 100 index fluctuated between an intraday high of 234 points and a low of 678 points before settling at 113,862, down 665 points or 0.58pc day-on-day. The downward movement was primarily driven by Engro Holdings, Oil and Gas Development Com­pany, Pakistan Petroleum, Mari Energies, and PSO, which collectively shaved 417 points off the index.