KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rebounded strongly on Friday as easing international oil prices and renewed indications of continued diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran helped restore investor confidence, allowing the market to recover after the previous session’s volatile trading.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 982.10 points, or 0.54 percent, to close at 182,241.78 points against the previous close of 181,259.68 points. During the session, the index touched an intraday high of 183,477.57 points and a low of 181,880.55 points.
BRIndex100 closed at 20,064.93 points, gaining 127.02 points, or 0.64 percent, with a trading volume of 720.55 million shares. BRIndex30 settled at 73,733.77 points, up 343.37 points, or 0.47 percent, on turnover of 421.54 million shares.
According to Topline Securities, the benchmark index recovered as oil prices eased following indications that the United States and Iran were continuing diplomatic talks despite recent confrontations, improving investor sentiment and reducing concerns over prolonged geopolitical tensions.
The brokerage house said the banking sector led the market’s advance, with Meezan Bank, United Bank Limited, Habib Bank Limited, MCB Bank and Askari Bank collectively contributing 548 points to the benchmark index.
Trading activity eased slightly compared to the previous session. Ready market volume declined to 948.78 million shares from 982.12 million shares, while traded value fell to Rs38.41 billion from Rs41.86 billion. Despite lower turnover, ready market capitalization increased by more than Rs121 billion to Rs20.503 trillion from Rs20.382 trillion.
Market breadth remained firmly positive as 292 of the 495 traded companies closed higher, 169 declined and 34 remained unchanged.
Among the most actively traded stocks, Cnergyico PK led the volume chart with 151.75 million shares, closing at Rs9.69. K-Electric Limited followed with 67.53 million shares to settle at Rs8.10, while WorldCall Telecom ranked third with 51.76 million shares, ending unchanged at Rs1.32. Other actively traded stocks included Trust Brokerage, Pak Refinery, LSE Capital, Lotte Chemical, Sitara Petroleum, Blue-Ex Limited and Bank Alfalah.
Khairpur Sugar Mills emerged as the top gainer on the ready board, rising Rs189.23 to close at Rs2081.55, followed by Ghandhara Industries, which added Rs70.34 to settle at Rs1168.32. On the losing side, Blessed Textiles fell by Rs63.29 to Rs1008.26, while The Premier Sugar Mills declined Rs49.29 to close at Rs589.43.
Sector-wise, the BR Commercial Banks Index led the gains, climbing 673.60 points, or 1.07 percent, to close at 63,577.39 points on turnover of 77.73 million shares. The BR Cement Index advanced 89.56 points, or 0.69 percent, to 13,050.11 points with 30.28 million shares traded.
The BR Tech & Communication Index rose 18.13 points, or 0.47 percent, to 3,864.75 points on turnover of 79.32 million shares. The BR Oil & Gas Index gained 44.89 points, or 0.29 percent, to settle at 15,459.43 points with 70.89 million shares changing hands.
The BR Automobile Assembler Index increased 66.27 points, or 0.27 percent, to close at 24,339.70 points, while the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index added 73.37 points, or 0.25 percent, to finish at 28,986.72 points.
Analysts said the market’s recovery reflected improving investor sentiment amid easing concerns over geopolitical risks and softer international oil prices. They added that developments in the Middle East, movements in crude oil prices and institutional participation will remain the key drivers of market direction in the coming sessions.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026