PSX sees decline of over 1,300 points

KARACHI (92 News) – The KSE-100 index of Pakistan Stock Exchange saw a down turn with a decline of more than 1,300 points on Thursday. Trading at the PSX was suspended again when the benchmark KSE-100 plunged more than 1300 points in the morning session. This is the sixth time in the last nine days when the trading was suspended. The index was at 29,113 points when the halt was triggered. Stocks slumped more than 5.97 per cent -- worst ever decline -- with panic selling from local as well as foreign investors intensified on coronavirus fears. A day earlier, the PSX was once again in freefall as the index plunged by over 2,000 points, falling below the significant 30,500 mark. The slump once again triggered a halt in trading for 45 minutes, fifth in nearly two weeks. Trading was halted at the PSX less than an hour into the morning session today after the benchmark KSE-100 index tanked over 5 per cent as investors reacted with disappointment to the lower-than-expected cut in the policy rate announced by the central bank yesterday. Canada, Chile and other countries closed their borders to visitors. Peru deployed masked military personnel to block major roads, while Ireland launched a campaign to recruit more healthcare workers. Airlines slashed flights, shed jobs and asked governments for billions of dollars in loans and grants. In contrast to much of the world, Mexico and Brazil still held large political rallies and the United Kingdom kept its schools open.