KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rebounded on Wednesday, as buying interest in refinery stocks, particularly Pakistan Refinery Limited and other energy-related shares, supported the market. However, investors remained cautious amid a lack of fresh triggers and persistent geopolitical uncertainty.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index advanced by 641.07 points, or 0.39 percent, to close at 165,417.51 points against the previous session’s 164,776.44 points. During the session, the index touched an intraday high of 165,629.35 points and a low of 164,060.34 points, reflecting fluctuations in trading before the market settled in positive territory.
The BRIndex100 closed at 18,214.17 points, gaining 85.75 points, or 0.47 percent, from the previous close of 18,128.42 points, with a total turnover of 433.769 million shares. The BRIndex30 advanced by 401.59 points, or 0.62 percent, to close at 65,000.21 points compared with 64,598.62 points in the preceding session. Its total volume stood at 215.250 million shares.
Nawaz Ali of JS Global Capital Limited noted that the session’s positive performance was driven primarily by buying interest in refinery stocks, while overall participation remained subdued. He observed that investors continued to adopt a cautious stance because of the absence of fresh market triggers and persistent geopolitical uncertainty.
Market participation increased substantially in the ready market. Total turnover rose to 585.895 million shares from 383.747 million shares in the previous session, an increase of 202.148 million shares, or 52.68 percent. Traded value climbed to Rs20.074 billion from Rs13.105 billion, increasing by Rs6.969 billion, or 53.18 percent.
Total market capitalisation increased by Rs65.753 billion to Rs18.391 trillion from Rs18.326 trillion in the preceding session. Market breadth remained positive, with 256 companies advancing, 200 declining and 45 closing unchanged out of 501 active issues.
WorldCall Telecom led ready-market turnover with 87.348 million shares. The stock opened at Rs0.96, and closed unchanged.
Pakistan Refinery Limited followed with 42.297 million shares. The stock closed at Rs99.19 against the previous session’s Rs93.19, gaining Rs6.00.
Cnergyico PK recorded turnover of 41.183 million shares. The stock closed at Rs12.71 compared with Rs12.29 previously, an increase of Rs0.42.
In terms of ready-market price movements, PIA Holding Company LimitedB recorded the largest gain, rising by Rs487.50 to close at Rs14,487.50. Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited followed, gaining Rs417.18 to settle at Rs25,444.18.
On the declining side, Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited recorded the largest fall, shedding Rs38.95 to close at Rs8,535.93. Blessed Textiles Limited declined by Rs35.65 to settle at Rs794.35.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index declined by 23.68 points, or 0.11 percent, to close at 21,662.88 points, with a turnover of 1.262 million shares. In contrast, the BR Cement Index gained 60.12 points, or 0.53 percent, to settle at 11,330.01 points, with 13.510 million shares traded.
The BR Commercial Banks Index advanced by 257.70 points, or 0.45 percent, to close at 57,033.46 points, with turnover of 19.712 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index fell by 102.65 points, or 0.41 percent, to finish at 24,674.08 points, with 30.872 million shares traded.
The BR Oil and Gas Index gained 31.41 points, or 0.22 percent, to close at 14,639.08 points, with turnover of 19.964 million shares. The BR Technology and Communication Index rose by 9.96 points, or 0.32 percent, to settle at 3,128.16 points, recording a turnover of 122.756 million shares.
Analysts said selective buying in energy and refinery stocks could continue to provide support to the market, but a broader and sustained recovery would depend on the emergence of fresh macroeconomic catalysts and an easing of geopolitical pressures.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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