Refinery stocks lead market rally as investors await developments on long-delayed refinery policy
KARACHI, August 17, 2026: The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) gained nearly 400 points on Monday as investors returned to the market with renewed buying interest, particularly in refinery stocks.
The KSE-100 Index witnessed a strong bullish session, climbing to an intraday high of 1,054 points before profit-taking emerged later in the session.
Despite the retreat from its intraday peak, the benchmark retained most of its gains and closed at 180,502.23 points, up 397 points, or 0.22%, from the previous close.
Refinery stocks attract buying
The refinery sector remained at the centre of investor attention amid market speculation about a possible signing ceremony for the long-awaited refinery policy.
The speculation triggered strong buying interest in refinery stocks, with ATRL, PRL, NRL and CNERGY all closing in positive territory and outperforming the broader market.
The renewed interest in refinery companies provided significant support to the benchmark, as investors positioned themselves ahead of potential developments on the sector’s policy framework.
PSO, PPL and OGDC among major contributors
Among the major contributors to the KSE-100 Index’s gain were PSO, PPL, ATRL, CNERGY and OGDC, which collectively contributed around 721 points to the benchmark.
The performance of these heavyweight stocks helped offset profit-taking in other parts of the market and enabled the index to maintain its positive close.
Trading activity remains strong
Market participation remained robust during the session, with total traded volume reaching 1.047 billion shares.
The total traded value stood at approximately Rs48.3 billion, reflecting strong investor participation.
CNERGY remained the most actively traded stock, with around 312.5 million shares changing hands during the session.
The market’s performance reflected renewed investor confidence, particularly in the refinery sector, as expectations surrounding the refinery policy encouraged fresh buying.
Although profit-taking trimmed the day’s earlier gains, the benchmark maintained its upward momentum and closed firmly in positive territory.