KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its record-setting rally on Tuesday, as investors maintained aggressive buying following the decision to keep the policy rate unchanged, while easing regional tensions and expectations of lower global oil prices further strengthened market sentiment.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index surged by 3,353.15 points, or 1.89 percent, to close at 180,392.98 points compared to the previous close of 177,039.83 points. The market remained firmly positive throughout the session, touching an intraday high of 180,503.55 points and a low of 177,741.47 points, reflecting strong institutional participation and sustained investor confidence in banking and cyclical sectors.
The latest close also marked the first time since February 12, 2026 that the benchmark index crossed the psychologically important 180,000-point threshold.
BRIndex100 closed at 19,971.61 points, gaining 336.50 points, or 1.71 percent, over the previous session, with a hefty turnover of 978.62 million shares. Meanwhile, BRIndex30 settled at 73,280.29 points, up by 1,386.39 points, or 1.93 percent, on a turnover of 501.66 million shares.
Commenting on the market performance, Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, said the status quo on monetary policy continued to fuel the rally as investor appetite remained strong, particularly in banking and cyclical stocks following the central bank’s decision to keep the policy rate unchanged. He noted that sentiment was further supported by improving economic fundamentals, easing regional tensions and expectations of lower oil prices, which have enhanced Pakistan’s inflation and external account outlook.
According to Ali Najib, United Bank Limited (UBL), Engro Holdings (ENGROH), Bank AL Habib (BAHL), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) were the top contributors to the benchmark index, collectively adding 1,664 points to the market’s overall gain.
Market liquidity improved considerably during the session. Ready market volumes increased to 1.224 billion shares from 988.08 million shares in the previous session, while the value of traded shares climbed to Rs70.22 billion from Rs63.48 billion previously.
Market capitalization also expanded substantially, rising to Rs20.053 trillion from Rs19.733 trillion a day earlier, reflecting an increase of approximately Rs319.91 billion.
Overall market breadth remained comfortably positive. In the ready market, 304 companies closed higher, 165 declined and 28 remained unchanged out of a total of 497 active companies.
Trading activity in the ready market was led by Lotte Chemical with a turnover of 108.12 million shares, closing at Rs28.52 per share. Pakistan International Bulk Terminal followed with 49.52 million shares and closed at Rs18.35, while Siddiqsons Tin Plate recorded a turnover of 43.73 million shares and closed at Rs8.90.
On the price performance front, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) emerged as the top gainer in absolute terms, rising by Rs168.43 to close at Rs18,037.43, followed by Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which gained Rs143 to settle at Rs25,869. On the downside, Sapphire Textile Mills Limited declined by Rs48 to close at Rs1,452, while Hoechst Pakistan Limited shed Rs33 to end at Rs4,002.
Among sectoral BR indices, the BR Commercial Banks Index emerged as the top performer, rising 2,083.86 points, or 3.52 percent, to close at 61,205.62 points with a turnover of 100.65 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index increased by 190.66 points, or 0.65 percent, to settle at 29,410.27 points on volumes of 65.02 million shares.
The BR Oil and Gas Index gained 239.16 points, or 1.57 percent, to close at 15,497.36 points with a turnover of 142.09 million shares, while the BR Tech and Communication Index advanced by 60.19 points, or 1.50 percent, to 4,064.85 points on 148.65 million shares.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index also remained positive, adding 337.98 points, or 1.21 percent, to settle at 28,361.17 points, though the BR Cement Index was the only major sectoral laggard, declining by 19.76 points, or 0.15 percent, to close at 12,953.74 points despite a healthy turnover of 72.62 million shares.
Market participants expect the positive momentum to continue amid stable policy rates, improving macroeconomic indicators, easing geopolitical tensions and softer oil prices, although intermittent profit-taking could emerge following the market’s sharp rally over recent sessions.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026