KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its bullish run on Wednesday as sustained buying interest propelled the benchmark index to a fresh all-time high, supported by broad-based sectoral participation.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 1,456.61 points, or 0.79 percent, to close at a record 186,518.72 points, compared to the previous close of 185,062.11 points.
During the session, the index touched an intraday high of 187,015.12 points, while the day’s low was recorded at 184,896.71 points, reflecting volatility amid an overall bullish undertone.
On Wednesday, BRIndex100 closed at 19,949.69, up 144.31 points, or 0.73 percent, with a total traded volume of 970.14 million shares. Meanwhile, BRIndex30 surged by 1,384.55 points, or 2.24 percent, to close at 63,296.28, with cumulative volume of 568.25 million shares.
According to Topline Securities, the local bourse remained firmly on an upward trajectory, extending its strong momentum to notch an all-time high close, as the session remained highly buoyant and profit-taking activity stayed modest.
The brokerage noted that optimism has decisively carried into 2026, with the PSX gaining around 12,464 points, or 7.2 percent, during the first five trading sessions of the year.
Topline Securities attributed the strong start to the year to aggressive buying by local institutional investors, driven largely by a continued shift in asset allocation from fixed-income instruments toward equities amid declining returns on traditional investment avenues. This rotation, it said, has sustained liquidity flows and supported elevated equity valuations.
On the contribution front, the brokerage highlighted that heavyweight stocks led the rally, with Hub Power Company (HUBC), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Engro Holdings (ENGROH), MCB Bank Limited (MCB), and Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL) collectively contributing around 766 points to the benchmark index’s overall advance.
Market capitalisation expanded by approximately Rs 165 billion, rising to Rs 20.91 trillion, compared to Rs 20.74 trillion in the previous session.
Trading activity remained robust across all segments. In the ready market, total volume reached 1.33 billion shares, compared to 1.31 billion shares in the preceding session, while traded value stood at Rs 86.59 billion.
Market breadth stayed firmly positive. In the ready market, 299 companies advanced, 161 declined, and 26 remained unchanged, out of 486 traded companies.
Trading activity remained concentrated in high-volume stocks. K-Electric Limited led the turnover chart, with 77.89 million shares traded, closing marginally lower at Rs6.55.
Hascol Petroleum Limited followed, recording a turnover of 58.65 million shares, as the stock rallied to close at Rs 18.32. Bank of Punjab traded 54.53 million shares, closing at Rs 42.95, while Telecard Limited posted a turnover of 46.93 million shares, ending at Rs 13.06.
Among price movers, Sazgar Engineering Works Limited emerged as the top gainer, advancing Rs 115.25 to close at Rs 1,953.51, followed by Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited, which gained Rs 69.63 to close at Rs 9,932.93.
On the downside, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) shed Rs 316.30 and closed at Rs 23,802.68, while Pakistan Services Limited declined Rs 62.58 and finished the day at Rs 1,074.05.
Sectoral indices closed broadly higher. The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 26,147.65, gaining 537.52 points, or 2.10 percent, with a turnover of 13.43 million shares.
The BR Cement Index ended at 14,329.88, up 150.51 points, or 1.06 percent, with volume of 49.43 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index recorded a modest increase of 112.83 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 58,928.69, with turnover of 118.47 million shares.
The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index posted strong gains, rising 939.25 points, or 3.31 percent, to 29,279.46, while volume stood at 134.60 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index closed at 15,548.66, up 181.35 points, or 1.18 percent, with traded volume of 111.95 million shares. Meanwhile, the BR Technology and Communication Index advanced 69.06 points, or 1.58 percent, to close at 4,435.51, with a turnover of 284.60 million shares.
Overall, the session reflected strong investor participation and broad-based optimism, underpinned by rising volumes, positive breadth, and continued institutional buying interest.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026