KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its record-setting rally on Monday, as strong institutional buying, supported by softer international crude oil prices and improving investor confidence, kept bulls firmly in control throughout the trading session.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at a fresh all-time closing high of 187,454.69 points, gaining 2,082.49 points or 1.12 percent over the previous close of 185,372.21 points. The market maintained its upward trajectory throughout the session, touching an intraday high of 187,546.36 points, while the day’s low remained at 185,910.39 points, reflecting sustained buying interest from the opening bell.
The BRIndex100 closed at 20,718.07 points, up 272.31 points or 1.33 percent, with a turnover of 644.27 million shares. The BRIndex30 settled at 76,376.62 points, gaining 1,197.11 points or 1.59 percent, on trading volume of 328.40 million shares.
According to Topline Securities, the local bourse resumed the week exactly where it ended last Friday, with robust buying interest driving the market higher throughout the day. The brokerage house said investor confidence remained resilient amid broad-based buying across key sectors, while easing international crude oil prices further strengthened sentiment by improving Pakistan’s inflation and external account outlook.
It added that heavyweight stocks HBL, MEBL, NBP, LUCK and MARI collectively contributed 827 points to the benchmark index’s gain.
Overall market activity strengthened further during the session. Ready market volume increased to 888.40 million shares from 815.65 million shares in the previous session, while traded value improved to Rs49.98 billion compared to Rs42.63 billion previously. Total market capitalization expanded by more than Rs223 billion, rising to Rs20.986 trillion against Rs20.763 trillion recorded a day earlier.
Market breadth remained comfortably in favour of advancing issues. Out of 495 companies traded in the ready market, 296 closed higher, 182 declined and 17 remained unchanged.
Among volume leaders in the ready market, TPL Properties topped the list with 66.77 million shares, closing at Rs12.54. It was followed by Lotte Chemical Pakistan with 42.07 million shares at Rs30.56, TPL REIT Fund I with 36.55 million shares at Rs10.51.
Among individual stocks, Premier Sugar Mills emerged as the top gainer, rising Rs71.99 to close at Rs791.92, followed by Sitara Chemical Industries, which gained Rs41.14 to finish at Rs852.18. On the downside, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) recorded the largest decline, shedding Rs242.78 to close at Rs18,360.36, while Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited fell Rs219.57 to Rs25,443.93.
Sector-wise, the BR Commercial Banks Index emerged among the strongest performers, rising 1,050.17 points or 1.65 percent to 64,820.44 points on turnover of 80.53 million shares. The BR Cement Index gained 191.34 points or 1.43 percent to close at 13,556.86 points with 53.88 million shares traded.
The BR Oil and Gas Index advanced 197.59 points or 1.25 percent to 16,037.58 points on turnover of 74.40 million shares. The BR Automobile Assembler Index increased 153.93 points or 0.63 percent to 24,474.12 points with volume of 4.84 million shares, while the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index rose 175.14 points or 0.59 percent to 29,999.01 points on turnover of 36.19 million shares.
The BR Tech & Communication Index was the only sector to close marginally lower, easing 1.96 points or 0.05 percent to 3,992.17 points with turnover of 57.88 million shares.
Market participants said the strong institutional participation, easing international oil prices and improving macroeconomic expectations have reinforced bullish sentiment.
However, investors are expected to remain focused on upcoming inflation readings, corporate earnings announcements and monetary policy expectations, which will likely determine whether the benchmark index can sustain its record-breaking momentum in the sessions ahead.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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