Benchmark index rebounds nearly 4,700 points in two sessions as easing Middle East tensions lift investor confidence.
KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its recovery for a second consecutive session on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index surging 1,761 points to close above the 181,000-point mark amid broad-based buying and improving investor sentiment.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 181,776 points, gaining 1,761 points, or 0.98%, after trading within an intraday range of 180,626 to 182,007.
The market has now recovered nearly 4,700 points over the past two trading sessions, reversing a significant portion of the losses recorded earlier this week.
According to market analysts, the rally was driven by easing geopolitical concerns in the Middle East, which improved investor risk appetite and encouraged renewed institutional buying. Lower volatility in international oil prices also supported sentiment, prompting investors to accumulate shares across key cyclical sectors.
The recovery reflected broad-based participation, with banking, fertilizer, cement and energy stocks attracting strong buying interest throughout the session.
Among individual stocks, UBL, Mari Energies, Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Lucky Cement and Bank AL Habib (BAHL) emerged as the top contributors to the benchmark index, collectively adding approximately 717 points to the KSE-100.
Trading activity remained robust, underscoring renewed investor confidence. Total traded volume reached 793 million shares, while the value of shares traded stood at approximately Rs40.3 billion.
Market participants said easing concerns over regional geopolitical tensions, coupled with expectations of a more stable external environment, have helped improve sentiment after the sharp volatility witnessed earlier in the week.
Analysts believe investor focus will now shift to upcoming corporate earnings, macroeconomic indicators and global commodity price movements, particularly oil, which continue to influence market direction.
The strong two-day rebound suggests that investors are regaining confidence as external risks moderate, although market participants remain cautious about any renewed geopolitical developments that could affect regional financial markets.