KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its recovery on Thursday, as optimism over potential Middle East peace talks supported buying, despite continued uncertainty after an Iranian official reportedly rejected a proposed deal to end the US-Israel war.
The KSE-100 Index advanced by 1,456.68 points, or 0.88 percent, to close at 167,193.44 points against 165,736.76 points in the previous session. During the day, the benchmark moved within a range of 1,576.19 points, touching an intraday high of 167,483.48 points and a low of 165,907.29 points.
BRIndex100 closed at 18,362.67 points, up 168.99 points, or 0.93 percent, with a turnover of 596.032 million shares. BRIndex30 rose by 434.74 points, or 0.67 percent, to settle at 65,593.34 points, with total volume reaching 461.443 million shares.
According to Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, the market remained positive throughout the session amid diplomatic hopes. Qatari mediators reportedly presented Iran with a new draft proposal to end the conflict, although an Iranian official dismissed the proposals as unacceptable, keeping geopolitical uncertainty elevated.
On the index contribution front, FFC, ENGROH, HBL, MCB, UBL, BAHL, PTC, CNERGY, OGDC and EFERT collectively contributed 1,248 points to the benchmark.
Ready-market activity strengthened considerably, with total turnover rising to 816.834 million shares from 578.124 million shares in the previous session, an increase of 238.710 million shares, or 41.29 percent. Traded value expanded to Rs 31.542 billion from Rs 26.203 billion, increasing by Rs 5.338 billion, or 20.37 percent.
Total market capitalisation rose by Rs 162.799 billion to Rs 18.493 trillion from Rs 18.330 trillion previously. Market breadth was evenly balanced, with 232 companies advancing, 232 declining and 35 remaining unchanged out of 499 active issues.
Cnergyico PK led ready-market turnover with 184.011 million shares. The stock closed at Rs 14.08 against the previous close of Rs 12.80. Pervez Ahmed Co followed with 81.147 million shares. It settled at Rs 4.40 compared with Rs 3.67 previously. K-Electric Ltd. recorded turnover of 46.828 million shares. The stock closed at Rs 5.96 against the previous close of Rs 5.83.
Among ready-market price gainers, PIA Holding Company LimitedB recorded the largest increase, rising by Rs 398.50 to close at Rs 13,950.00. Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited followed, gaining Rs 150.98 to settle at Rs 25,851.20.
On the losing side, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited recorded the largest decline, shedding Rs 113.39 to finish at Rs 1,020.47. J.K. Spinning Mills Limited followed, falling by Rs 44.55 to close at Rs 427.55.
Sectoral performance was predominantly positive, although automobile assemblers closed marginally lower. The BR Automobile Assembler Index declined by 15.45 points, or 0.07 percent, to 21,839.22 points, with turnover of 1.714 million shares. The BR Cement Index gained 22.78 points, or 0.20 percent, to close at 11,482.38 points, with 20.350 million shares traded.
The BR Commercial Banks Index advanced by 504.29 points, or 0.87 percent, to 58,138.51 points, with turnover of 30.956 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index increased by 80.19 points, or 0.32 percent, to 24,887.12 points, with 57.700 million shares traded.
The BR Oil and Gas Index rose by 59.60 points, or 0.40 percent, to 14,815.83 points, with turnover of 55.175 million shares. The BR Technology and Communication Index gained 13.38 points, or 0.45 percent, to close at 2,995.54 points, with 83.263 million shares traded.
Najib said the market could maintain a positive bias amid diplomatic hopes and strong corporate earnings, while geopolitical uncertainty and oil-price volatility remained potential sources of near-term volatility.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026