KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed Wednesday’s session firmly higher as broad-based buying across banking, power generation, energy and select industrial stocks helped benchmark indices extend gains.
The KSE-100 Index advanced by 931.34 points, or 0.50 percent, to close at 187,832.08 points, compared with the previous close of 186,900.74 points. The index traded within a wide intraday range, touching a high of 188,312.21 points and a low of 187,018.69 points, indicating active trading and alternating buying and profit-taking pressure throughout the session.
On Wednesday, the BRIndex100 posted further gains during the session. The index closed at 21,543.73 points, marking an increase of 103.47 points, or 0.48 percent, compared with the previous close. Total trading volume on the BRIndex100 stood at 1.034 billion shares. The BRIndex30 also ended the session higher. The index finished the day at 81,750.71 points, posting a gain of 266.16 points, or 0.33 percent, over the previous close. Total turnover on the index amounted to 811.09 million shares.
Commenting on the session, Topline Securities say the KSE-100 Index concluded the session on a positive note, reflecting a gain. Market activity remained volatile throughout the day. Performance was primarily supported by gains in key index heavyweights, including MEBL, ENGROH, NBP, UBL, and HMB, which collectively added 740 points to the benchmark.
However, these advances were partially offset by losses in SYS, EFERT, and PPL, which together detracted 149 points.
Market breadth showed a positive bias, though gains remained selective. In the Ready Market, 246 companies advanced, 188 declined, while 49 remained unchanged, out of 483 traded companies.
Trading activity strengthened markedly in the Ready Market. Total turnover surged to 1.195 billion shares, compared with 848.56 million shares in the previous session. However, the value of shares traded declined to Rs44.10 billion, down from Rs50.03 billion, suggesting heavier activity in lower-priced stocks. Importantly, market capitalization increased to Rs21.28 trillion, from Rs21.15 trillion, reflecting a net gain of approximately Rs129 billion in investor wealth.
Trading in the Ready Market was heavily concentrated in power and utility stocks. K-Electric Limited dominated volumes by a wide margin, with 590.87 million shares traded. The stock closed sharply higher at Rs8.31. Waves Home Appliances followed with 36.31 million shares, closing at Rs12.04, while First National Equities Limited traded 32.94 million shares, ending at Rs1.72. Bank of Punjab recorded a turnover of 32.47 million shares, closing at Rs40.90, while Waves Corporation Limited traded 25.12 million shares, closing at Rs16.44.
On the gainers’ board, Nestlé Pakistan Limited emerged as the top performer, rising by Rs75.39 to close at Rs7,906.13, followed by Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which gained Rs68.36 to settle at Rs27,208.17. On the losing side, Blessed Textiles Limited recorded the steepest decline, shedding Rs67.48 to close at Rs607.29, while Sazgar Engineering Works Limited fell by Rs30.58 to Rs2,271.47, reflecting selective profit-taking in high-priced stocks.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 27,932.06 points, recording a net decline of 92.34 points, or 0.33 percent, with a total turnover of 1.87 million shares, reflecting mild selling pressure in selected auto stocks. In contrast, the BR Cement Index ended higher at 13,570.93 points, gaining 48.56 points, or 0.36 percent, supported by trading volumes of 28.71 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index emerged among the strongest performers, closing at 66,709.05 points, up 820.45 points, or 1.25 percent, on a turnover of 68.36 million shares, as renewed buying interest lifted major banking stocks. Similarly, the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index closed higher at 30,057.96 points, advancing 138.42 points, or 0.46 percent, with heavy trading volumes of 623.64 million shares, reflecting sustained activity in power sector stocks.
On the downside, the BR Oil and Gas Index slipped by 42.32 points, or 0.26 percent, to close at 16,281.95 points, with a total turnover of 34.21 million shares, indicating selective profit-taking in exploration and energy names. The BR Technology and Communication Index also ended in negative territory, declining 31.14 points, or 0.73 percent, to settle at 4,242.80 points, on volumes of 57.83 million shares, reflecting continued pressure in select technology stocks.
Overall, Wednesday’s trading session at the Pakistan Stock Exchange reflected a constructive advance supported by strong gains in banking stocks, heavy turnover in power and utility shares, and improved participation across the Ready and futures markets.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026