PSX rebounds as KSE-100 gains 1,422 points

PSX rebounds as KSE-100 gains 1,422 points

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) recovered on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index rising 1,421.67 points, or 0.85%, to close at 169,392.33 amid broad-based buying and improved investor sentiment.

The index remained positive during the session, reaching an intra-day high of 169,988 points and a low of 169,189 points. Investors increased their positions in major index-heavy stocks, supporting gains across several key sectors.

Market sentiment also improved after the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) decided on Monday to maintain its policy rate at 11.5%. The decision reduced uncertainty over monetary policy and encouraged buying in interest-rate-sensitive stocks.

Investors showed interest in auto assemblers, cement companies, commercial banks, exploration and production firms, refineries, power companies and oil marketing companies.

Ahmed Sheraz, an equity trader at KASB KTrade, said the market maintained a positive tone throughout the session, with commercial banks, cement, pharmaceutical and oil and gas stocks providing support. He said the broad participation reflected stronger buying interest across major sectors.

UBL, Fauji Fertiliser, Lucky Cement and Bank Alfalah were among the stocks that contributed significantly to the index’s advance. Pakistan Services, Pakistan Oilfields, Engro Holdings, Bank AL Habib, MCB and Systems Ltd also recorded gains.

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, said investors adopted a selective buying strategy following the SBP’s decision to hold the policy rate at 11.5%. He noted that market activity could remain volatile, with profit-taking and stock-specific movements likely to continue during the ongoing corporate results season.

Meanwhile, international developments continued to influence investor sentiment. Oil prices climbed nearly 2% on Tuesday as concerns over supply disruptions persisted following attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure. The attacks forced the kingdom’s East-West pipeline offline and raised further concerns over efforts to ease shipping risks in the Gulf.

On the corporate front, Mughal Iron & Steel Industries reported a 2.6-fold year-on-year increase in profit to Rs2.487 billion for fiscal year 2026. Earnings per share stood at Rs7.41, supported by improved margins, lower finance costs and higher other income. The company also announced a Rs2-per-share dividend after a two-year gap.

The day’s trading volume fell to 372 million shares from 570.5 million shares on Monday, while the value of traded shares reached Rs17.2 billion.

A total of 494 companies traded in the ready market. Of these, 280 stocks closed higher, 166 declined and 48 remained unchanged.

Cnergyico PK led trading activity with 56.2 million shares changing hands, while its share price remained unchanged at Rs12.81. Foreign investors recorded net buying of Rs143 million, according to the National Clearing Company of Pakistan.