KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) staged a strong recovery on Wednesday as bargain hunters returned to the market following the previous session’s sharp sell-off. However, investors remained cautious amid persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 1,766.97 points, or 1.02 percent, to close at 175,285.78 points against the previous close of 173,518.82 points. During the session, the index moved between an intraday high of 176,701.38 points and a low of 173,870.27 points.
Business Recorder indices also reflected the market’s recovery. The BRIndex100 closed at 19,226.29 points, gaining 259.95 points, or 1.37 percent, on turnover of 454.09 million shares. Meanwhile, the BRIndex30 advanced 902.99 points, or 1.31 percent, to close at 69,853.51 points with trading volume of 284.69 million shares.
Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, said the PSX witnessed a strong rebound as investors’ renewed buying interest in selective blue-chip stocks following the previous day’s sharp sell-off. He noted that geopolitical uncertainty continued to linger, with no meaningful signs of de-escalation following last week’s collapse of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, keeping overall investor sentiment cautious.
He said UBL, Engro Holdings, National Bank of Pakistan, Meezan Bank, Habib Bank, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Engro Fertilizers, Lucky Cement, Askari Bank and Maple Leaf Cement collectively contributed 1,211 points to the benchmark index.
Despite the rebound in share prices, overall market activity slowed as investors remained selective. Ready market turnover declined to 583.80 million shares from 912.61 million shares recorded in the previous session, while traded value fell to Rs26.05 billion from Rs45.61 billion.
The recovery in blue-chip stocks added around Rs199.31 billion to market capitalization, lifting ready market capitalization to Rs19.783 trillion from Rs19.584 trillion a day earlier.
Market breadth turned firmly positive. Of the 495 companies traded on the ready market, 361 advanced, 104 declined and 30 remained unchanged.
Among the most actively traded stocks, K-Electric Limited led the volume chart with 52.69 million shares, closing at Rs7.43. It was followed by Cnergyico PK with 37.97 million shares, which settled at Rs9.57, while TPL Properties traded 27.82 million shares and closed at its upper limit of Rs12.13.
On the gainers’ list, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) recorded the highest increase, rising Rs688.00 to close at Rs18,294.00, followed by Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which gained Rs165.00 to settle at Rs25,525.00. On the losing side, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited shed Rs131.02 to close at Rs2,310.46, while Shield Corporation Limited declined Rs39.95 to Rs750.15.
Sector-wise, the BR Commercial Banks Index emerged as the top performer, rising 854.85 points, or 1.42 percent, to close at 61,136.68 points on turnover of 56.26 million shares. The BR Cement Index gained 132.45 points, or 1.09 percent, to settle at 12,250.70 points with 29.92 million shares traded.
The BR Tech & Communication Index advanced 30.35 points, or 0.83 percent, to 3,691.76 points on turnover of 42.54 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index increased 140.34 points, or 0.51 percent, to close at 27,696.37 points with 62.26 million shares changing hands.
The BR Oil & Gas Index added 69.95 points, or 0.47 percent, to settle at 14,892.62 points on turnover of 28.12 million shares, while the BR Automobile Assembler Index edged up 33.87 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 23,535.58 points with trading volume of 3.17 million shares.
Looking ahead, Najib said market direction would remain largely dependent on geopolitical developments, adding that attractive valuations may continue to encourage selective buying, while a sustained recovery would depend on easing global tensions and lower international oil prices.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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