KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) staged a powerful recovery on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index reclaiming the psychologically significant 180,000-point level after 16 trading sessions, as easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a sharp decline in international crude oil prices fueled broad-based buying across key sectors.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index remained firmly in positive territory during the day, gaining 2,931.71 points, or 1.66 percent, to close at 180,014.93 points, compared with Tuesday’s close of 177,083.22 points. The index touched an intraday high of 180,202.39 points after recovering from a low of 178,512.09 points.
The BRIndex100 rose 369.99 points, or 1.90 percent, to close at 19,865.96 points, while total traded volume stood at 576.72 million shares. The BRIndex30 climbed 908.01 points, or 1.30 percent, to finish at 70,935.51 points, with total turnover reaching 286.86 million shares.
The closing above the 180,000-point mark marked the benchmark’s return to that level after a gap of 16 trading sessions, having last settled above it on July 10, 2026.
Commenting on the day’s performance, Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, said improving diplomatic prospects had kept bearish sentiment at bay.
“PSX witnessed a strong session today, reclaiming the 180k level on a closing basis after a gap of 16 trading sessions, last seen on July 10, 2026. The market remained in the green throughout the session, driven primarily by a sharp decline in international oil prices, which have fallen more than 9 percent since Tuesday’s peak as optimism grew over the resumption of US-Iran talks,” he said.
Najib noted that Habib Bank Limited (HBL), United Bank Limited (UBL), Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL), Engro Holdings (ENGROH), Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), MCB Bank, Lucky Cement (LUCK), Systems Limited (SYS), Hub Power Company (HUBC) and Fatima Fertilizer collectively contributed around 1,906 points to the benchmark index.
Overall trading activity also strengthened considerably.
Ready Market turnover increased to 740.56 million shares from 711.27 million shares recorded a day earlier, while traded value surged to Rs35.91 billion compared with Rs25.87 billion in the previous session. Ready Market capitalization expanded by Rs257.07 billion to Rs20.09 trillion, up from Rs19.83 trillion.
Market breadth overwhelmingly favoured advancing issues. Of the 496 companies traded on the Ready Market, 303 stocks gained, 158 declined, while 35 remained unchanged.
Among individual stocks, Trust Brokerage remained the volume leader for the third consecutive session, with 52.88 million shares changing hands. The stock closed at Rs2.46, slightly lower than its previous close of Rs2.59.
Other actively traded stocks included WorldCall Telecom, where 42.52 million shares were traded, closing at Rs1.24. Cnergyico PK followed with 40.20 million shares, ending at Rs11.06, while Bank of Punjab recorded 40.11 million shares and closed at Rs34.75.
Among top gainers, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) surged by Rs336.00 to close at Rs17,896.00 per share, followed by The Thal Industries Corporation Limited, which gained Rs121.67 to settle at Rs1,408.39.
On the losing side, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited declined by Rs86.00 to close at Rs25,300.00, while Khyber Textile Mills Limited shed Rs59.78 to finish at Rs1,981.32 per share.
Sector-wise, the BR Commercial Banks Index emerged as the top performer, surging 1,503.24 points, or 2.42 percent, to close at 63,746.58 points on trading volume of 103.02 million shares, reflecting aggressive buying in leading banking stocks.
The BR Cement Index gained 243.03 points, or 1.95 percent, to settle at 12,704.57 points with turnover of 63.97 million shares, while the BR Tech & Communication Index advanced 68.33 points, or 1.86 percent, to 3,749.01 points on 71.93 million shares.
The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index increased 310.94 points, or 1.12 percent, to 28,072.33 points with turnover of 29.72 million shares, whereas the BR Automobile Assembler Index added 259.31 points, or 1.09 percent, to close at 24,118.74 points on 3.30 million shares.
Meanwhile, the BR Oil and Gas Index rose 100.14 points, or 0.68 percent, to finish at 14,840.51 points, with 64.09 million shares changing hands.
Market participants said the strong rebound underscored improving investor confidence amid easing geopolitical risks and softer global energy prices. Going forward, analysts believe developments surrounding US-Iran negotiations, the direction of international crude oil prices, and the ongoing corporate earnings season will remain the principal drivers of market sentiment, while continued macroeconomic stability could provide additional support to equities in the near term.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026