KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its gains on Thursday as cautious optimism surrounding a potential diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran encouraged selective buying in heavyweight stocks, helping the benchmark index close firmly in positive territory.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 984.86 points, or 0.58 percent, to close at 171,175.51 points against 170,190.64 points recorded in the previous session.
The market remained positive throughout the day, with the benchmark touching an intraday high of 171,455.77 points and a low of 170,563.41 points before settling near the upper end of its trading range.
BRIndex100 closed at 18,896.32 points, gaining 182.65 points or 0.98 percent over the previous session, with total turnover reaching 414.97 million shares. BRIndex30 settled at 69,276.28 points, up 1,107.88 points or 1.63 percent, on total volume of 407.95 million shares.
According to Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, investor sentiment remained cautiously optimistic as hopes of progress in ongoing US-Iran negotiations continued to support the market. He said that although the absence of a formal agreement kept risk appetite somewhat restrained, buying interest in key blue-chip stocks enabled the benchmark index to maintain its upward trajectory.
Najib noted that Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Lucky Cement (LUCK), and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTC) emerged as the major gainers and collectively contributed 459 points to the benchmark index. However, gains were partially offset by selling pressure in Bank Alfalah (BAHL), Meezan Bank (MEBL), Engro Fertilizers (EFERT), Service Industries (SRVI), and Packages Limited (PKGS), which cumulatively shaved off 88 points.
Overall market capitalization expanded significantly to Rs18.983 trillion compared with Rs18.864 trillion recorded in the previous session, reflecting an increase of nearly Rs120 billion in the value of listed equities.
Trading activity also strengthened considerably. In the regular market, turnover rose to 697.17 million shares from 551.95 million shares a day earlier, while traded value increased to Rs26.14 billion from Rs23.76 billion.
Market breadth overwhelmingly favored advancing stocks, highlighting the broad-based nature of the rally. In the Ready Market, 316 companies advanced, 128 declined and 48 remained unchanged out of 492 active stocks.
Activity in the trading ring remained concentrated in a handful of highly liquid counters. Beco Steel Limited emerged as the volume leader with turnover of 113.09 million shares, closing at Rs6.03 against Rs5.77 previously. Pakistan International Bulk Terminal followed with turnover of 32.17 million shares and a closing price of Rs17.32. WorldCall Telecom ranked third with 31.10 million shares traded, closing at Rs1.26.
On the gainers’ board, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited registered the highest increase in the ready market, surging by Rs209.02 to close at Rs2,373.63. Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited followed with a gain of Rs123.22, ending the session at Rs25,985.25. Conversely, Blessed Textiles Limited suffered the steepest decline, losing Rs55.93 to settle at Rs1,128.37, while Ismail Industries Limited shed Rs42.07 to close at Rs1,920.01.
Among sectoral BR indices, the BR Automobile Assembler Index advanced by 58.86 points, or 0.22 percent, to close at 27,349.97 points with turnover of 7.19 million shares. The BR Cement Index recorded a strong gain of 177.42 points, or 1.51 percent, to settle at 11,928.12 points on turnover of 60.13 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index added 50.70 points, or 0.09 percent, to close at 57,332.10 points with volume of 31.26 million shares. Likewise, the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index increased by 134.98 points, or 0.49 percent, to finish at 27,767.22 points on turnover of 20.47 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index climbed by 167.72 points, or 1.13 percent, to close at 15,071.13 points with trading volume of 54.54 million shares. The BR Technology and Communication Index posted a gain of 42.65 points, or 1.10 percent, to settle at 3,911.09 points on turnover of 108.10 million shares.
Looking ahead, Ali Najib said hopes surrounding a potential US-Iran diplomatic breakthrough continue to underpin investor sentiment. However, he cautioned that until greater clarity emerges on the geopolitical front, markets are likely to remain highly sensitive to headlines, with stock-specific developments expected to drive near-term performance.
Market participants will continue to closely monitor diplomatic engagements, movements in international oil prices and corporate developments for directional cues in the sessions ahead.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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