KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its recovery for a second consecutive session on Thursday, as easing geopolitical tensions, lower oil price volatility and renewed institutional buying boosted investor confidence.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 1,761.66 points, or 0.98 percent, to settle at 181,776.60 points, compared with 180,014.93 points in the previous session. The market remained positive throughout the day, touching an intraday high of 182,007.04 points before retreating slightly to close above the key psychological level. The session’s low stood at 180,626.93 points.
The BRIndex100 gained 202.06 points, or 1.02 percent, to close at 20,068.02 points, with total trading volume of 668.91 million shares. The BRIndex30 surged 1,191.21 points, or 1.68 percent, to 72,126.72 points, while recording turnover of 383.85 million shares.
According to Topline Securities, the market has recovered nearly 4,700 points over the past two trading sessions, reversing a substantial portion of the losses recorded earlier in the week.
“The Pakistan Stock Exchange extended its strong recovery for a second consecutive session on Thursday, with broad-based buying pushing the benchmark KSE-100 Index back above the 181,000 level. Improved investor sentiment was supported by easing geopolitical concerns and renewed institutional participation. The sharp rebound was fuelled by improving risk appetite as concerns over Middle East tensions eased, while lower oil price volatility encouraged buying in cyclical sectors,” the brokerage said in its daily market review.
Topline added that United Bank Limited (UBL), Mari Energies (MARI), Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Lucky Cement (LUCK) and Bank AL Habib (BAHL) collectively contributed around 717 points to the benchmark index.
The rally was broad-based, with all major PSX benchmark and sectoral indices ending in positive territory.
Trading activity strengthened during the session. Ready Market turnover increased to 793.35 million shares from 740.56 million shares in the previous session, while traded value climbed to Rs40.31 billion, compared with Rs35.91 billion a day earlier.
Ready Market capitalization expanded by Rs173.58 billion to Rs20.26 trillion, as compare to Rs20.09 trillion previous day, reflecting the day’s strong market performance.
Market breadth remained firmly in favour of the bulls. Of the 495 companies traded on the Ready Market, 283 advanced, 180 declined, while 32 remained unchanged.
Bank of Punjab (BOP) emerged as the volume leader on the Ready Market, with 66.02 million shares traded. The stock closed at Rs36.00, up from Rs34.75.
Other actively traded stocks included Unity Foods with 62.51 million shares, Cnergyico PK with 56.22 million shares, Trust Brokerage with 32.75 million shares and Maple Leaf Cement with 30.41 million shares.
Among major gainers, Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited added Rs176.72 to close at Rs9,470.53 per share, followed by J.K. Spinning Mills Limited, which gained Rs22.84 to Rs264.94.
On the losing side, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited shed Rs89.00 to close at Rs25,211.00, while Ismail Industries Limited fell Rs13.34 to Rs1,902.06 per share.
Among Business Recorder’s sectoral indices, the BR Power Generation and Distribution Index emerged as the best performer, rising 485.97 points, or 1.73 percent, to 28,558.30 points.
The BR Cement Index advanced 198.37 points, or 1.56 percent, to 12,902.94 points, followed by the BR Oil and Gas Index, which gained 140.33 points, or 0.95 percent, to 14,980.84 points.
The BR Commercial Banks Index increased 589.13 points, or 0.92 percent, to 64,335.71 points, while the BR Tech & Communication Index rose 30.66 points, or 0.82 percent, to 3,779.67 points. The BR Automobile Assembler Index added 87.72 points, or 0.36 percent, to close at 24,206.46 points.
Analysts said improving geopolitical sentiment, easing volatility in global oil prices and renewed institutional participation have helped restore investor confidence. They noted that the investors expected to continue monitoring developments in the Middle East, international oil prices and the ongoing corporate earnings season for further direction.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026