KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) staged a strong recovery on Monday as renewed optimism surrounding ongoing United States-Iran negotiations, easing international oil prices and aggressive buying ahead of the Eid holidays propelled the stock market sharply higher.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index extended its gains and closed at 171,725.29 points, registering a substantial increase of 3,881.05 points or 2.31 percent compared to the previous close of 167,844.25 points.
The index remained firmly in bullish territory throughout the session, touching an intraday high of 171,920.81 points, while the day’s low stood at 170,161.66 points, reflecting sustained buying interest across heavyweight sectors.
The BRIndex100 closed at 18,922.75 points, up 508.41 points or 2.76 percent over the previous close, with total traded volume standing at 375.99 million shares. The BRIndex30 surged 2,215.57 points or 3.29 percent to close at 69,575.63 points, while total turnover reached 256.71 million shares.
According to Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, the PSX witnessed a robust session, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index posting a strong surge as investor sentiment improved before the long Eid holidays.
He said the market opened positively amid continued US-Iran negotiations and declining international oil prices, while expectations of a possible agreement between the two countries continued to fuel optimism.
Najib further noted that the signing of agreements and memorandums of understanding worth $7 billion between Pakistani and Chinese companies during the prime minister’s China visit also supported sentiment, as the deals are aimed at enhancing business-to-business cooperation with the Chinese corporate sector.
According to Ali Najib, the rally was largely driven by heavyweight stocks including Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), United Bank Limited (UBL), Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Engro Holdings (ENGROH), Lucky Cement (LUCK), Bank Alfalah Limited (BAHL), Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), and Hub Power Company (HUBC), which collectively contributed 2,138 points to the benchmark index gain.
Overall market activity remained vibrant as total market capitalization expanded significantly to Rs18.989 trillion, compared to Rs18.616 trillion recorded in the previous session, reflecting a notable increase in investors’ wealth.
In the regular market, turnover improved to 506.35 million shares, compared to 480.81 million shares in the previous session, while traded value climbed sharply to Rs31.14 billion against Rs22.72 billion earlier.
Market breadth remained heavily skewed in favour of advancing stocks. In the Ready Market, 345 companies advanced, 107 declined and 37 remained unchanged out of 489 active companies.
Activity in the ready market was dominated by high-volume stocks. The Bank of Punjab (BOP) emerged as the volume leader with 27.28 million shares, closing at Rs34.53 after opening at Rs34.95. It was followed by First National Equities with 25.56 million shares, ending unchanged at Rs1.31, while Pakistan International Bulk Terminal traded 24.88 million shares and closed at Rs16.89.
On the gainers’ board, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited emerged as the top performer in the ready market, rising sharply by Rs200.78 to close at Rs2,208.56, followed by Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which gained Rs79.00 to settle at Rs26,079.00.
On the losing side, PIA Holding Company LimitedB recorded the steepest decline, shedding Rs218.12 to close at Rs17,928.88, while Khyber Textile Mills Limited lost Rs41.68 to settle at Rs1,518.17.
Among sectoral indices, the BR Automobile Assembler Index closed at 26,993.24 points, up 333.97 points or 1.25 percent, with total turnover of 2.32 million shares.
The BR Cement Index posted one of the strongest gains, rising 431.26 points or 3.77 percent to settle at 11,874.04 points, with turnover of 51.77 million shares.
The BR Commercial Banks Index climbed 1,636.91 points or 2.91 percent to close at 57,955.46 points, supported by robust activity totaling 50.92 million shares.
The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index increased 481.02 points or 1.73 percent to finish at 28,316.74 points, while turnover stood at 33.12 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index gained 276.38 points or 1.84 percent to close at 15,265.59 points, with trading activity reaching 65.84 million shares.
Likewise, the BR Tech and Communication Index rose 78.39 points or 2.08 percent to settle at 3,851.66 points, supported by turnover of 73.07 million shares.
Looking ahead, Ali Najib said developments in US-Iran negotiations would remain a key market trigger in the coming sessions, adding that improving diplomatic momentum and easing oil prices could continue supporting investor sentiment, although uncertainty regarding a final agreement may keep regional markets volatile in the near term.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026